IQQQ vs. PQAP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQQQ (ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and PQAP (PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April) are both exchange-traded funds - IQQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Daily Covered Call Index, while PQAP is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. IQQQ is passively managed, while PQAP is actively managed. Over the past year, IQQQ returned 38.70% vs 21.47% for PQAP. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IQQQ charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PQAP.

Performance

IQQQ vs. PQAP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQQQ achieves a 18.72% return, which is significantly higher than PQAP's 12.09% return.

IQQQ

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 9.88%
• YTD: 18.72%
• 6M: 17.39%
• 1Y: 38.70%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PQAP

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.44%
• YTD: 12.09%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 21.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IQQQ vs. PQAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	18.72%	17.47%
PQAP PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April	12.09%	14.48%

Correlation

The correlation between IQQQ and PQAP is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.90

The correlation between IQQQ and PQAP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IQQQ vs. PQAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQQQ

IQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 70
IQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
IQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
IQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 69
IQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
IQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

PQAP

PQAP Risk / Return Rank: 98
PQAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PQAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

IQQQ vs. PQAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP). 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.

	IQQQ	PQAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	4.86	-2.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	8.47	-5.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	2.20	-0.77
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	15.50	-12.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.41	86.25	-73.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQQQ vs. PQAP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is lower than the PQAP Sharpe Ratio of 4.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQQQ and PQAP, 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

	IQQQ	PQAP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	4.86	-2.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	1.76	-0.52

Drawdowns

IQQQ vs. PQAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQQQ drawdown since its inception was -20.41%, which is greater than PQAP's maximum drawdown of -10.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQQQ and PQAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQQQ	PQAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.41%	-10.79%	-9.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.13%	-1.39%	-9.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-0.12%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-0.60%	-3.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	0.25%	+2.88%

Volatility

IQQQ vs. PQAP - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) has a higher volatility of 3.99% compared to PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP) at 1.02%. This indicates that IQQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PQAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQQQ	PQAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	1.02%	+2.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.54%	3.09%	+8.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.40%	4.45%	+10.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.57%	11.03%	+7.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	11.03%	+7.54%

IQQQ vs. PQAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQQQ has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than PQAP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQQQ vs. PQAP - Dividend Comparison

IQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.42%, more than PQAP's 0.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	4.42%	10.34%	7.27%
PQAP PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April	0.02%	0.02%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQQQ and PQAP in my portfolio?

IQQQ and PQAP have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQQQ or PQAP?

IQQQ has higher volatility (3.99%) compared to PQAP (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQQQ dropped -20.41% vs PQAP's -10.79%.

Which ETF is better, IQQQ or PQAP?

On 1-year performance, IQQQ leads with 38.70% vs 21.47% for PQAP. On fees, PQAP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PQAP has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQQQ or PQAP?

Over the 1-year period, IQQQ has performed better with a 38.70% return vs 21.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQQQ or PQAP?

PQAP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for IQQQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQQQ or PQAP?

IQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.42%, compared with 0.02% for PQAP.

What is the main difference between IQQQ and PQAP?

IQQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while PQAP is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for IQQQ and 0.50% for PQAP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.86 vs 2.53), 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.