IQQQ vs. QBUF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQQQ (ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - IQQQ tracks the Nasdaq-100 Daily Covered Call Index while QBUF tracks the Invesco QQQ Trust. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IQQQ returned 38.70% vs 11.93% for QBUF. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IQQQ charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QBUF.

Performance

IQQQ vs. QBUF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) 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, IQQQ achieves a 18.72% return, which is significantly higher than QBUF's 4.68% return.

IQQQ

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

QBUF

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 4.68%
• 6M: 4.57%
• 1Y: 11.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IQQQ vs. QBUF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	18.72%	17.11%	5.46%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	4.68%	11.08%	5.92%

Correlation

The correlation between IQQQ and QBUF is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2024	0.84

The correlation between IQQQ and QBUF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQQQ vs. QBUF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQQQ	QBUF
Technology	53.8%	50.7%
Communication Services	15.8%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	12.5%
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	8.7%
Healthcare	4.2%	5.1%
Industrials	2.8%	3.3%
Utilities	1.4%	1.6%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.3%
Energy	0.6%	0.7%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

IQQQ vs. QBUF — 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

QBUF

QBUF Risk / Return Rank: 79
QBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
QBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
QBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
QBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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. QBUF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) 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.

	IQQQ	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	2.28	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	3.20	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.48	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	5.19	-1.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.41	17.79	-5.39
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. QBUF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is comparable to the QBUF Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQQQ 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

	IQQQ	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	2.28	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	1.36	-0.12

Drawdowns

IQQQ vs. QBUF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQQQ drawdown since its inception was -20.41%, which is greater than QBUF's maximum drawdown of -8.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQQQ and QBUF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQQQ	QBUF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.41%	-8.84%	-11.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.13%	-2.31%	-8.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-0.01%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-0.82%	-2.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	0.67%	+2.46%

Volatility

IQQQ vs. QBUF - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) has a higher volatility of 3.99% compared to Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) at 0.23%. This indicates that IQQQ'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

	IQQQ	QBUF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	0.23%	+3.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.54%	3.88%	+7.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.40%	5.25%	+10.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.57%	8.47%	+10.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	8.47%	+10.10%

IQQQ vs. QBUF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQQQ has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than QBUF's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQQQ vs. QBUF - Dividend Comparison

IQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.42%, while QBUF has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	4.42%	10.34%	7.27%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQQQ and QBUF in my portfolio?

IQQQ 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, IQQQ or QBUF?

IQQQ has higher volatility (3.99%) compared to QBUF (0.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQQQ dropped -20.41% vs QBUF's -8.84%.

Which ETF is better, IQQQ or QBUF?

On 1-year performance, IQQQ leads with 38.70% vs 11.93% for QBUF. On fees, IQQQ is cheaper at 0.55% 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, IQQQ or QBUF?

Over the 1-year period, IQQQ has performed better with a 38.70% return vs 11.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQQQ or QBUF?

IQQQ is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QBUF.

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

IQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.42%, compared with 0.00% for QBUF.

What is the main difference between IQQQ and QBUF?

IQQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Daily Covered Call Index, while QBUF tracks Invesco QQQ Trust. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for IQQQ and 0.79% for QBUF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 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.