NFEB vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NFEB (Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - February) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both exchange-traded funds - NFEB is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1, while QMAR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust. NFEB is passively managed, while QMAR is actively managed. Over the past year, NFEB returned 19.88% vs 23.38% for QMAR. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NFEB charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

NFEB vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - February (NFEB) 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, NFEB achieves a 8.35% return, which is significantly lower than QMAR's 13.06% return.

NFEB

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 8.35%
• 6M: 9.25%
• 1Y: 19.88%
• 3Y*: —
• 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)

NFEB vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NFEB Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - February	8.35%	12.69%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	13.06%	9.35%

Correlation

The correlation between NFEB and QMAR is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2025	0.91

The correlation between NFEB and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NFEB vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

NFEB

NFEB Risk / Return Rank: 82
NFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
NFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
NFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 89
NFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
NFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

NFEB vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - February (NFEB) 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.

	NFEB	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.77	3.86	-1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.93	6.05	-2.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.93	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	7.31	-4.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.20	52.66	-36.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NFEB vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NFEB Sharpe Ratio is 2.77, which is comparable to the QMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NFEB 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

	NFEB	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.77	3.86	-1.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.36	0.91	+0.45

Drawdowns

NFEB vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NFEB drawdown since its inception was -13.27%, smaller than the maximum QMAR drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFEB and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	NFEB	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.27%	-19.83%	+6.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.05%	-3.21%	-2.84%
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	-0.11%	-0.19%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.53%	-3.28%	+1.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.23%	0.45%	+0.78%

Volatility

NFEB vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - February (NFEB) is 1.13%, while FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) has a volatility of 1.27%. This indicates that NFEB 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

	NFEB	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	1.27%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.77%	4.85%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.22%	6.09%	+1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.95%	13.97%	-2.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.95%	13.85%	-1.90%

NFEB vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

NFEB vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither NFEB nor QMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NFEB and QMAR in my portfolio?

NFEB and QMAR have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NFEB or QMAR?

QMAR has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to NFEB (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFEB dropped -13.27% vs QMAR's -19.83%.

Which ETF is better, NFEB or QMAR?

On 1-year performance, QMAR leads with 23.38% vs 19.88% for NFEB. On fees, NFEB is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, NFEB has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NFEB or QMAR?

Over the 1-year period, QMAR has performed better with a 23.38% return vs 19.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NFEB or QMAR?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between NFEB and QMAR?

NFEB 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 NFEB and 0.90% for QMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.86 vs 2.77), 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.