OCTP vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

OCTP (PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - October) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both exchange-traded funds - OCTP is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM, while QMAR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, OCTP returned 16.09% vs 20.76% for QMAR. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. OCTP charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

OCTP vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - October (OCTP) 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, OCTP achieves a 5.58% return, which is significantly lower than QMAR's 11.40% return.

OCTP

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 0.64%
• YTD: 5.58%
• 6M: 5.27%
• 1Y: 16.09%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QMAR

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: -0.77%
• YTD: 11.40%
• 6M: 11.38%
• 1Y: 20.76%
• 3Y*: 15.65%
• 5Y*: 11.30%
• 10Y*: —

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

OCTP vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
OCTP PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - October	5.58%	13.14%	7.17%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	11.40%	10.89%	10.30%

Correlation

The correlation between OCTP and QMAR is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 17, 2024	0.88

The correlation between OCTP and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

OCTP vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

OCTP

OCTP Risk / Return Rank: 78
OCTP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
OCTP Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
OCTP Omega Ratio Rank: 82
OCTP Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
OCTP Martin Ratio Rank: 83

QMAR

QMAR Risk / Return Rank: 95
QMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
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.

OCTP vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - October (OCTP) 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.

	OCTP	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	3.19	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	4.77	-1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.74	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	6.49	-3.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.18	39.78	-24.60

OCTP vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OCTP Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is lower than the QMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OCTP 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

OCTP vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OCTP drawdown since its inception was -11.96%, smaller than the maximum QMAR drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OCTP and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	OCTP	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.96%	-19.83%	+7.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.22%	-3.21%	-2.01%
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	-0.77%	-1.65%	+0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.04%	-3.26%	+2.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	0.52%	+0.54%

Volatility

OCTP vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - October (OCTP) is 2.16%, while FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) has a volatility of 2.92%. This indicates that OCTP 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

	OCTP	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.16%	2.92%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.72%	5.59%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.31%	6.55%	+0.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.57%	14.01%	-4.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.57%	13.83%	-4.26%

OCTP vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

OCTP has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than QMAR's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

OCTP vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither OCTP nor QMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OCTP and QMAR in my portfolio?

OCTP and QMAR have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OCTP or QMAR?

QMAR has higher volatility (2.92%) compared to OCTP (2.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OCTP dropped -11.96% vs QMAR's -19.83%.

Which ETF is better, OCTP or QMAR?

On 1-year performance, QMAR leads with 20.76% vs 16.09% for OCTP. On fees, OCTP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, OCTP has been the lower-risk option at 2.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OCTP or QMAR?

Over the 1-year period, QMAR has performed better with a 20.76% return vs 16.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OCTP or QMAR?

OCTP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAR.

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

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

What is the main difference between OCTP and QMAR?

OCTP is categorized as Defined Outcome, while QMAR is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for OCTP and 0.90% for QMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.19 vs 2.22), 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.