DDFJ vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

DDFJ (Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - January) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both exchange-traded funds - DDFJ is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while QMAR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DDFJ charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

DDFJ vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - January (DDFJ) and FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

DDFJ

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QMAR

• 1D: -1.50%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 11.34%
• 6M: 12.13%
• 1Y: 21.87%
• 3Y*: 16.08%
• 5Y*: 11.78%
• 10Y*: —

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

DDFJ vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
DDFJ Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - January	3.11%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	11.41%

Correlation

The correlation between DDFJ and QMAR is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2026	0.75

DDFJ vs. QMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DDFJ	QMAR
Technology	36.2%	54.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	0.2%
Communication Services	10.9%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	4.2%
Industrials	8.1%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.6%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.2%

Return for Risk

DDFJ vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

QMAR

QMAR Risk / Return Rank: 96
QMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
QMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
QMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
QMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
QMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

DDFJ vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - January (DDFJ) and FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR). 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DDFJ	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.30	0.88	+0.42

Drawdowns

DDFJ vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDFJ drawdown since its inception was -3.34%, smaller than the maximum QMAR drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDFJ and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDFJ	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.34%	-19.83%	+16.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-3.21%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.91%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-1.70%	+0.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.51%	-3.28%	+2.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.46%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DDFJ	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.95%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	5.11%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.83%	6.28%	-0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.83%	13.98%	-8.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.83%	13.86%	-8.03%

DDFJ vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

DDFJ has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than QMAR's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

DDFJ vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither DDFJ nor QMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDFJ and QMAR in my portfolio?

DDFJ and QMAR have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DDFJ or QMAR?

On fees, DDFJ is cheaper at 0.79% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDFJ or QMAR?

DDFJ is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DDFJ or QMAR?

DDFJ and QMAR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DDFJ and QMAR?

DDFJ is categorized as Defined Outcome, while QMAR is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for DDFJ and 0.90% for QMAR.