JEPQ vs. QMAR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. JEPQ is passively managed, while QMAR is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, JEPQ returned 18.60%/yr vs 15.58%/yr for QMAR. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. JEPQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) 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, JEPQ achieves a 7.51% return, which is significantly lower than QMAR's 12.60% return.

JEPQ

• 1D: 1.38%
• 1M: -0.56%
• 6M: 4.41%
• YTD: 7.51%
• 1Y: 21.24%
• 3Y*: 18.60%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.90%

QMAR

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 0.65%
• 6M: 11.79%
• YTD: 12.60%
• 1Y: 19.26%
• 3Y*: 15.58%
• 5Y*: 11.18%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.14%

*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)
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	$489.18M	$434.68M	$428.59M
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	$331.81K	$318.22K	$438.70K

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	7.51%	15.18%	24.85%	36.28%	-11.16%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	12.60%	10.89%	16.11%	35.47%	-9.73%

Correlation

The correlation between JEPQ and QMAR is 0.90, 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.	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2022	0.92

The correlation between JEPQ and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JEPQ	QMAR
Technology	60.6%	60.2%
Communication Services	12.8%	13.3%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	10.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.8%	6.5%
Healthcare	4.0%	3.6%
Industrials	3.0%	2.7%
Utilities	1.0%	1.2%
Basic Materials	0.9%	1.0%
Financial Services	0.3%	0.2%
Energy	0.3%	0.5%
Real Estate	0.2%	0.1%

Return for Risk

JEPQ vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 66
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 64
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 77

QMAR

QMAR Risk / Return Rank: 96
QMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
QMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
QMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 96
QMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
QMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) 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.

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.

	JEPQ	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	2.78	-1.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	4.18	-2.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.60	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	6.02	-3.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.91	28.19	-18.28

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JEPQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is lower than the QMAR Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JEPQ 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.

Drawdowns

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JEPQ drawdown since its inception was -20.07%, roughly equal to the maximum QMAR drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JEPQ and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	JEPQ	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.07%	-19.83%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.82%	-3.21%	-5.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.07%	-15.91%	-4.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.91%	-0.59%	-2.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.38%	-3.22%	-0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	0.68%	+1.47%

Volatility

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) has a higher volatility of 6.14% compared to FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) at 2.62%. This indicates that JEPQ'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

	JEPQ	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.14%	2.62%	+3.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.20%	6.18%	+6.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.64%	6.98%	+7.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	14.05%	+2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.90%	13.74%	+3.16%

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

JEPQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than QMAR's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

JEPQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.18%, while QMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	11.18%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%
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 JEPQ and QMAR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, JEPQ and QMAR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, JEPQ or QMAR?

JEPQ has higher volatility (6.14%) compared to QMAR (2.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JEPQ dropped -20.07% vs QMAR's -19.83%.

Which ETF is better, JEPQ or QMAR?

On 3-year performance, JEPQ leads with 18.60% vs 15.58% for QMAR. On fees, JEPQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, QMAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JEPQ or QMAR?

Over the 3-year period, JEPQ has performed better with a 18.60% return vs 15.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JEPQ or QMAR?

JEPQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAR.

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

JEPQ has the higher dividend yield at 11.18%, compared with 0.00% for QMAR.

What is the main difference between JEPQ and QMAR?

They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for JEPQ and 0.90% for QMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 1.46), 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.