HEQQ vs. QBUF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

HEQQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF) and QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. HEQQ is actively managed, while QBUF is passively managed. Over the past year, HEQQ returned 11.59% vs 8.55% for QBUF. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. HEQQ charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QBUF.

Performance

HEQQ vs. QBUF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HEQQ) 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, HEQQ achieves a 2.75% return, which is significantly lower than QBUF's 2.89% return.

HEQQ

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: -0.71%
• 6M: 1.17%
• YTD: 2.75%
• 1Y: 11.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.65%

QBUF

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: -0.82%
• 6M: 2.14%
• YTD: 2.89%
• 1Y: 8.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.61%

*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)
HEQQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF	$19.72K	$10.59K	$92.03K
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	$858.18K	$1.07M	$961.40K

HEQQ vs. QBUF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HEQQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF	2.75%	16.96%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	2.89%	11.19%

Correlation

The correlation between HEQQ and QBUF is 0.87, 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.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.82

The correlation between HEQQ and QBUF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

HEQQ vs. QBUF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HEQQ	QBUF
Technology	59.6%	60.2%
Communication Services	12.9%	13.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.8%	10.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.8%	6.5%
Healthcare	4.4%	3.6%
Industrials	3.0%	2.7%
Utilities	1.6%	1.2%
Basic Materials	0.7%	1.0%
Financial Services	0.6%	0.2%
Energy	0.6%	0.5%
Real Estate	0.2%	0.1%

Return for Risk

HEQQ vs. QBUF — Risk / Return Rank

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

HEQQ

HEQQ Risk / Return Rank: 46
HEQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
HEQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
HEQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 47
HEQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
HEQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 46

QBUF

QBUF Risk / Return Rank: 58
QBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
QBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
QBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 58
QBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
QBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

HEQQ vs. QBUF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HEQQ) 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.

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.

	HEQQ	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.18	1.28	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	1.81	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.25	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	1.96	-0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.30	9.14	-3.84

HEQQ vs. QBUF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HEQQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.18, which is comparable to the QBUF Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HEQQ 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.

Drawdowns

HEQQ vs. QBUF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HEQQ drawdown since its inception was -7.64%, smaller than the maximum QBUF drawdown of -8.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEQQ and QBUF.

Drawdown Indicators

	HEQQ	QBUF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.64%	-8.84%	+1.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.64%	-3.99%	-3.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.37%	-1.99%	-0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.17%	-0.82%	-0.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	0.85%	+1.21%

Volatility

HEQQ vs. QBUF - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HEQQ) has a higher volatility of 3.93% compared to Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) at 3.28%. This indicates that HEQQ'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

	HEQQ	QBUF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.93%	3.28%	+0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.37%	4.57%	+2.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.28%	6.12%	+3.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.99%	8.44%	+2.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.99%	8.44%	+2.55%

HEQQ vs. QBUF - Expense Ratio Comparison

HEQQ has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than QBUF's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

HEQQ vs. QBUF - Dividend Comparison

HEQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%, while QBUF has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
HEQQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF	0.22%	0.19%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HEQQ and QBUF in my portfolio?

HEQQ and QBUF have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HEQQ or QBUF?

HEQQ has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to QBUF (3.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HEQQ dropped -7.64% vs QBUF's -8.84%.

Which ETF is better, HEQQ or QBUF?

On 1-year performance, HEQQ leads with 11.59% vs 8.55% for QBUF. On fees, HEQQ is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, QBUF has been the lower-risk option at 3.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HEQQ or QBUF?

Over the 1-year period, HEQQ has performed better with a 11.59% return vs 8.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HEQQ or QBUF?

HEQQ is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QBUF.

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

HEQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.22%, compared with 0.00% for QBUF.

What is the main difference between HEQQ and QBUF?

They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for HEQQ and 0.79% for QBUF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QBUF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.28 vs 1.18), 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.