KDEC vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

KDEC (Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - December) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both exchange-traded funds - KDEC is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while QMAR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, KDEC returned 17.67% vs 19.79% for QMAR. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KDEC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

KDEC vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - December (KDEC) 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, KDEC achieves a 10.38% return, which is significantly lower than QMAR's 11.31% return.

KDEC

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.89%
• YTD: 10.38%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 17.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QMAR

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: -0.85%
• YTD: 11.31%
• 6M: 11.15%
• 1Y: 19.79%
• 3Y*: 15.62%
• 5Y*: 11.30%
• 10Y*: —

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

KDEC vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KDEC Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - December	10.38%	6.52%	-4.04%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	11.31%	10.89%	0.35%

Correlation

The correlation between KDEC and QMAR is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2024	0.71

The correlation between KDEC and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KDEC vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

KDEC

KDEC Risk / Return Rank: 68
KDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
KDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
KDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 62
KDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
KDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 69

QMAR

QMAR Risk / Return Rank: 95
QMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
QMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
QMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 96
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.

KDEC vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - December (KDEC) 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.

	KDEC	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	3.06	-1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	4.56	-1.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.71	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	6.18	-2.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	37.11	-26.24

KDEC vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KDEC Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is lower than the QMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KDEC 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

KDEC vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KDEC drawdown since its inception was -16.52%, smaller than the maximum QMAR drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KDEC and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	KDEC	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.52%	-19.83%	+3.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.38%	-3.21%	-2.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.91%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-1.73%	+1.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.95%	-3.26%	+0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	0.53%	+1.10%

Volatility

KDEC vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - December (KDEC) is 2.26%, while FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) has a volatility of 2.92%. This indicates that KDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KDEC	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.26%	2.92%	-0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.72%	5.59%	+1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.55%	6.54%	+3.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.26%	14.01%	-1.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.26%	13.83%	-1.57%

KDEC vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

KDEC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than QMAR's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

KDEC vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither KDEC nor QMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KDEC and QMAR in my portfolio?

KDEC and QMAR have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KDEC or QMAR?

QMAR has higher volatility (2.92%) compared to KDEC (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KDEC dropped -16.52% vs QMAR's -19.83%.

Which ETF is better, KDEC or QMAR?

On 1-year performance, QMAR leads with 19.79% vs 17.67% for KDEC. On fees, KDEC is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, KDEC has been the lower-risk option at 2.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KDEC or QMAR?

Over the 1-year period, QMAR has performed better with a 19.79% return vs 17.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KDEC or QMAR?

KDEC is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAR.

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

KDEC and QMAR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between KDEC and QMAR?

KDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while QMAR is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for KDEC and 0.90% for QMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.06 vs 1.86), 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.