FTQI vs. QBUF

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) and QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - FTQI tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index while QBUF tracks the Invesco QQQ Trust. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FTQI returned 28.07% vs 11.91% for QBUF. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTQI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QBUF.

Performance

FTQI vs. QBUF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) 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, FTQI achieves a 11.03% return, which is significantly higher than QBUF's 4.76% return.

FTQI

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 4.05%
• YTD: 11.03%
• 6M: 11.53%
• 1Y: 28.07%
• 3Y*: 17.30%
• 5Y*: 10.97%
• 10Y*: 8.00%

QBUF

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 4.76%
• 6M: 4.58%
• 1Y: 11.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTQI vs. QBUF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	11.03%	12.68%	7.96%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	4.76%	11.08%	5.92%

Correlation

The correlation between FTQI and QBUF is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2024	0.82

The correlation between FTQI and QBUF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTQI vs. QBUF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTQI	QBUF
Technology	35.5%	50.7%
Financial Services	13.3%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	12.5%
Healthcare	8.4%	5.1%
Energy	7.4%	0.7%
Industrials	7.4%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.9%	8.7%
Basic Materials	3.9%	1.3%
Utilities	3.9%	1.6%
Communication Services	3.4%	15.8%
Real Estate	2.0%	0.1%

Return for Risk

FTQI vs. QBUF — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 86
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FTQI Martin Ratio Rank: 91

QBUF

QBUF Risk / Return Rank: 80
QBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
QBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
QBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 81
QBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
QBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

FTQI vs. QBUF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) 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.

	FTQI	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.73	2.28	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	3.20	+0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.48	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.52	5.18	-0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.94	17.77	+4.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTQI vs. QBUF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTQI Sharpe Ratio is 2.73, which is comparable to the QBUF Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTQI 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

	FTQI	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.73	2.28	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	1.36	-0.84

Drawdowns

FTQI vs. QBUF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTQI drawdown since its inception was -19.42%, which is greater than QBUF's maximum drawdown of -8.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTQI and QBUF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTQI	QBUF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.42%	-8.84%	-10.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.24%	-2.31%	-3.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.42%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.42%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.75%	-0.82%	-2.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.28%	0.67%	+0.61%

Volatility

FTQI vs. QBUF - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) has a higher volatility of 1.66% compared to Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) at 0.23%. This indicates that FTQI'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

	FTQI	QBUF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.66%	0.23%	+1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.24%	3.87%	+4.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.33%	5.25%	+5.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.81%	8.46%	+6.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.35%	8.46%	+4.89%

FTQI vs. QBUF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTQI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than QBUF's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTQI vs. QBUF - Dividend Comparison

FTQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.94%, while QBUF has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.94%	11.46%	11.66%	11.49%	9.85%	3.05%	3.27%	2.95%	3.27%	2.74%	3.02%	3.54%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTQI and QBUF in my portfolio?

FTQI and QBUF have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTQI or QBUF?

FTQI has higher volatility (1.66%) compared to QBUF (0.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTQI dropped -19.42% vs QBUF's -8.84%.

Which ETF is better, FTQI or QBUF?

On 1-year performance, FTQI leads with 28.07% vs 11.91% for QBUF. On fees, FTQI is cheaper at 0.75% 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, FTQI or QBUF?

Over the 1-year period, FTQI has performed better with a 28.07% return vs 11.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTQI or QBUF?

FTQI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QBUF.

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

FTQI has the higher dividend yield at 10.94%, compared with 0.00% for QBUF.

What is the main difference between FTQI and QBUF?

FTQI tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while QBUF tracks Invesco QQQ Trust. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FTQI and 0.79% for QBUF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 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.