EQTY vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EQTY (Kovitz Core Equity ETF) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both exchange-traded funds - EQTY is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NONE, while QMAR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust. EQTY is passively managed, while QMAR is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, EQTY returned 15.88%/yr vs 16.73%/yr for QMAR. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EQTY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

EQTY vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EQTY achieves a 1.88% return, which is significantly lower than QMAR's 13.06% return.

EQTY

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: 1.88%
• 6M: 3.56%
• 1Y: 14.80%
• 3Y*: 15.88%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QMAR

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 2.81%
• YTD: 13.06%
• 6M: 14.01%
• 1Y: 23.38%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 12.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

EQTY vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
EQTY Kovitz Core Equity ETF	1.88%	13.63%	19.89%	26.97%	-3.83%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	13.06%	10.89%	16.11%	35.47%	-4.92%

Correlation

The correlation between EQTY and QMAR is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2022	0.74

The correlation between EQTY and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

EQTY vs. QMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EQTY	QMAR
Technology	23.8%	54.2%
Financial Services	19.0%	0.2%
Industrials	16.3%	2.8%
Healthcare	14.3%	4.2%
Communication Services	11.1%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	12.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	7.6%
Energy	1.5%	0.6%
Basic Materials	-	1.2%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

EQTY vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

EQTY

EQTY Risk / Return Rank: 31
EQTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
EQTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
EQTY Omega Ratio Rank: 31
EQTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
EQTY Martin Ratio Rank: 32

QMAR

QMAR Risk / Return Rank: 96
QMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
QMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
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.

EQTY vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Kovitz Core Equity ETF (EQTY) 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.

	EQTY	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	3.86	-2.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	6.05	-4.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.93	-0.72
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.25	7.31	-6.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.66	52.66	-48.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EQTY vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EQTY Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is lower than the QMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EQTY and QMAR, 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

	EQTY	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.16	3.86	-2.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.11	0.91	+0.20

Drawdowns

EQTY vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EQTY drawdown since its inception was -17.28%, smaller than the maximum QMAR drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EQTY and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	EQTY	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.28%	-19.83%	+2.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.85%	-3.21%	-8.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.28%	-15.91%	-1.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.26%	-0.19%	-2.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.71%	-3.28%	+0.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.19%	0.45%	+2.74%

Volatility

EQTY vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

Kovitz Core Equity ETF (EQTY) has a higher volatility of 2.58% compared to FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) at 1.27%. This indicates that EQTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EQTY	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.58%	1.27%	+1.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.45%	4.85%	+4.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.79%	6.09%	+6.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.95%	13.97%	+0.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.95%	13.85%	+1.10%

EQTY vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

EQTY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than QMAR's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

EQTY vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

EQTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, while QMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
EQTY Kovitz Core Equity ETF	0.02%	0.02%	0.33%	0.26%	0.08%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EQTY and QMAR in my portfolio?

EQTY and QMAR have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EQTY or QMAR?

EQTY has higher volatility (2.58%) compared to QMAR (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EQTY dropped -17.28% vs QMAR's -19.83%.

Which ETF is better, EQTY or QMAR?

On 3-year performance, QMAR leads with 16.73% vs 15.88% for EQTY. On fees, QMAR is cheaper at 0.90% per year. On volatility, QMAR has been the lower-risk option at 1.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EQTY or QMAR?

Over the 3-year period, QMAR has performed better with a 16.73% return vs 15.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EQTY or QMAR?

QMAR is cheaper with a 0.90% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for EQTY.

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

EQTY has the higher dividend yield at 0.02%, compared with 0.00% for QMAR.

What is the main difference between EQTY and QMAR?

EQTY is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while QMAR is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Kovitz and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for EQTY and 0.90% for QMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.86 vs 1.16), 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.