BUFQ vs. QQQM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) and QQQM (Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - BUFQ tracks the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD while QQQM tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BUFQ returned 15.51%/yr vs 24.26%/yr for QQQM. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. BUFQ charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QQQM.

Performance

BUFQ vs. QQQM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFQ achieves a 8.37% return, which is significantly lower than QQQM's 14.26% return.

BUFQ

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 0.21%
• 6M: 7.17%
• YTD: 8.37%
• 1Y: 16.29%
• 3Y*: 15.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.74%

QQQM

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: -1.76%
• 6M: 12.09%
• YTD: 14.26%
• 1Y: 27.06%
• 3Y*: 24.26%
• 5Y*: 14.53%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.84%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	$4.67M	$5.07M	$6.16M
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	$1.05B	$933.44M	$1.20B

BUFQ vs. QQQM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	8.37%	14.03%	16.41%	35.51%	0.73%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	14.26%	20.85%	25.68%	55.01%	-5.31%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFQ and QQQM is 0.95, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2022	0.96

The correlation between BUFQ and QQQM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFQ vs. QQQM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 81
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 79
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 88

QQQM

QQQM Risk / Return Rank: 59
QQQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
QQQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QQQM Omega Ratio Rank: 55
QQQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
QQQM Martin Ratio Rank: 59

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BUFQ vs. QQQM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). 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	QQQM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.42	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	1.96	+0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.25	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	2.27	+0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.53	7.22	+6.31

BUFQ vs. QQQM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the QQQM Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFQ and QQQM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BUFQ vs. QQQM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFQ drawdown since its inception was -15.74%, smaller than the maximum QQQM drawdown of -35.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFQ and QQQM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFQ	QQQM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.74%	-35.04%	+19.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.39%	-11.96%	+6.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.74%	-22.70%	+6.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.04%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.15%	-6.06%	+4.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.27%	-8.14%	+5.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.21%	3.76%	-2.55%

Volatility

BUFQ vs. QQQM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) is 3.45%, while Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) has a volatility of 6.91%. This indicates that BUFQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFQ	QQQM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	6.91%	-3.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.40%	15.95%	-8.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.08%	19.23%	-10.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.27%	22.76%	-9.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.27%	22.33%	-9.06%

BUFQ vs. QQQM - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFQ has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQM's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFQ vs. QQQM - Dividend Comparison

BUFQ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	0.45%	0.50%	0.61%	0.65%	0.83%	0.40%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFQ and QQQM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, BUFQ and QQQM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BUFQ or QQQM?

QQQM has higher volatility (6.91%) compared to BUFQ (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFQ dropped -15.74% vs QQQM's -35.04%.

Which ETF is better, BUFQ or QQQM?

On 3-year performance, QQQM leads with 24.26% vs 15.51% for BUFQ. On fees, QQQM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, BUFQ has been the lower-risk option at 3.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFQ or QQQM?

Over the 3-year period, QQQM has performed better with a 24.26% return vs 15.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFQ or QQQM?

QQQM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

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

QQQM has the higher dividend yield at 0.45%, compared with 0.00% for BUFQ.

What is the main difference between BUFQ and QQQM?

BUFQ tracks NASDAQ 100 Index - USD, while QQQM tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for BUFQ and 0.15% for QQQM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.42), 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.