BUFQ vs. QEW

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) and QEW (Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - BUFQ tracks the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD while QEW tracks the Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BUFQ charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QEW.

Performance

BUFQ vs. QEW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF (QEW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

BUFQ

• 1D: -1.33%
• 1M: -0.77%
• YTD: 7.95%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 19.01%
• 3Y*: 16.00%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QEW

• 1D: -2.01%
• 1M: 1.99%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFQ vs. QEW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	7.83%
QEW Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF	17.75%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFQ and QEW is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2026	0.88

Return for Risk

BUFQ vs. QEW — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 79
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 87

QEW

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. QEW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF (QEW). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BUFQ	QEW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.54	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.65	—	—

Drawdowns

BUFQ vs. QEW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFQ drawdown since its inception was -15.74%, which is greater than QEW's maximum drawdown of -5.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFQ and QEW.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFQ	QEW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.74%	-5.87%	-9.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.39%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.74%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-3.04%	+1.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.29%	-1.11%	-1.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BUFQ	QEW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.61%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.77%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.45%	20.39%	-11.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.31%	20.39%	-7.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.31%	20.39%	-7.08%

BUFQ vs. QEW - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFQ has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than QEW's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFQ vs. QEW - Dividend Comparison

BUFQ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%.

Position	TTM
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	0.00%
QEW Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFQ and QEW in my portfolio?

BUFQ and QEW have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BUFQ or QEW?

On fees, QEW is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFQ or QEW?

QEW is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

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

QEW has the higher dividend yield at 0.11%, compared with 0.00% for BUFQ.

What is the main difference between BUFQ and QEW?

BUFQ tracks NASDAQ 100 Index - USD, while QEW tracks Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for BUFQ and 0.25% for QEW.