BUFQ vs. QBUF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) and QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - BUFQ tracks the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD while QBUF tracks the Invesco QQQ Trust. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, BUFQ returned 21.61% vs 11.93% for QBUF. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BUFQ charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QBUF.

Performance

BUFQ vs. QBUF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFQ achieves a 9.53% return, which is significantly higher than QBUF's 4.68% return.

BUFQ

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 2.68%
• YTD: 9.53%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: 21.61%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QBUF

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 4.68%
• 6M: 4.57%
• 1Y: 11.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BUFQ vs. QBUF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	9.53%	14.03%	5.72%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	4.68%	11.08%	5.92%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFQ and QBUF is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2024	0.82

The correlation between BUFQ and QBUF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

BUFQ vs. QBUF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BUFQ	QBUF
Technology	54.2%	50.7%
Communication Services	15.5%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	12.5%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	8.7%
Healthcare	4.2%	5.1%
Industrials	2.8%	3.3%
Utilities	1.4%	1.6%
Basic Materials	1.2%	1.3%
Energy	0.6%	0.7%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

BUFQ vs. QBUF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 84
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 85
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 89

QBUF

QBUF Risk / Return Rank: 79
QBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
QBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
QBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
QBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 85

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BUFQ vs. QBUF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	BUFQ	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	2.28	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.88	3.20	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.48	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.03	5.19	-1.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.34	17.79	+2.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFQ vs. QBUF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is comparable to the QBUF Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFQ and QBUF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BUFQ	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	2.28	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.42	1.36	+0.06

Drawdowns

BUFQ vs. QBUF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFQ drawdown since its inception was -15.74%, which is greater than QBUF's maximum drawdown of -8.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFQ and QBUF.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFQ	QBUF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.74%	-8.84%	-6.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.39%	-2.31%	-3.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.74%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.01%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.31%	-0.82%	-1.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	0.67%	+0.39%

Volatility

BUFQ vs. QBUF - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) has a higher volatility of 1.17% compared to Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) at 0.23%. This indicates that BUFQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QBUF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFQ	QBUF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	0.23%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.42%	3.88%	+2.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.31%	5.25%	+3.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.35%	8.47%	+4.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.35%	8.47%	+4.88%

BUFQ vs. QBUF - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFQ has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than QBUF's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFQ vs. QBUF - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFQ nor QBUF has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFQ and QBUF in my portfolio?

BUFQ and QBUF have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFQ or QBUF?

BUFQ has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to QBUF (0.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFQ dropped -15.74% vs QBUF's -8.84%.

Which ETF is better, BUFQ or QBUF?

On 1-year performance, BUFQ leads with 21.61% vs 11.93% for QBUF. On fees, QBUF is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, QBUF has been the lower-risk option at 0.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFQ or QBUF?

Over the 1-year period, BUFQ has performed better with a 21.61% return vs 11.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFQ or QBUF?

QBUF is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUFQ or QBUF?

BUFQ and QBUF have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BUFQ and QBUF?

BUFQ tracks NASDAQ 100 Index - USD, while QBUF tracks Invesco QQQ Trust. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for BUFQ and 0.79% for QBUF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 2.28), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.