JEPQ vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 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 20.92%/yr vs 16.73%/yr for QMAR. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. 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 9.54% return, which is significantly lower than QMAR's 13.06% return.

JEPQ

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 4.31%
• YTD: 9.54%
• 6M: 9.75%
• 1Y: 29.00%
• 3Y*: 20.92%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QMAR

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 2.81%
• YTD: 13.06%
• 6M: 14.01%
• 1Y: 23.38%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 12.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	9.54%	15.18%	24.85%	36.28%	-12.89%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	13.06%	10.89%	16.11%	35.47%	-12.04%

Correlation

The correlation between JEPQ and QMAR is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2022	0.92

The correlation between JEPQ and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JEPQ	QMAR
Technology	54.0%	54.2%
Communication Services	15.4%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	12.2%
Consumer Defensive	7.1%	7.6%
Healthcare	4.4%	4.2%
Industrials	3.1%	2.8%
Utilities	1.3%	1.4%
Basic Materials	1.0%	1.2%
Energy	0.4%	0.6%
Financial Services	0.4%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.2%	0.1%

Return for Risk

JEPQ vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 74
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 80
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 80

QMAR

QMAR Risk / Return Rank: 96
QMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
QMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
QMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
QMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
QMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

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.

	JEPQ	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	3.86	-1.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	6.05	-2.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.93	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	7.31	-4.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.22	52.66	-36.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JEPQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is lower than the QMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.86. 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	JEPQ	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	3.86	-1.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	0.91	+0.10

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	-0.10%	-0.19%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.42%	-3.28%	-0.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.79%	0.45%	+1.34%

Volatility

JEPQ vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) and FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) have volatilities of 1.26% and 1.27%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. 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	1.26%	1.27%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.07%	4.85%	+4.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.73%	6.09%	+5.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.61%	13.97%	+2.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.61%	13.85%	+2.76%

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 10.07%, while QMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.07%	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?

JEPQ and QMAR 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, JEPQ or QMAR?

QMAR has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to JEPQ (1.26%). 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 20.92% vs 16.73% for QMAR. On fees, JEPQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. Their volatility is very similar. 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 20.92% return vs 16.73%. 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 10.07%, 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 (3.86 vs 2.49), 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.