OCTW vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

OCTW (AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 Oct ETF) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both exchange-traded funds - OCTW is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, while QMAR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust. OCTW is passively managed, while QMAR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, OCTW returned 8.90%/yr vs 12.38%/yr for QMAR. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. OCTW charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

OCTW vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 Oct ETF (OCTW) 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, OCTW achieves a 4.77% return, which is significantly lower than QMAR's 13.16% return.

OCTW

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 1.63%
• YTD: 4.77%
• 6M: 5.36%
• 1Y: 12.92%
• 3Y*: 10.92%
• 5Y*: 8.90%
• 10Y*: —

QMAR

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 2.78%
• YTD: 13.16%
• 6M: 14.21%
• 1Y: 23.95%
• 3Y*: 16.76%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: —

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

OCTW vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
OCTW AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 Oct ETF	4.77%	9.68%	8.67%	17.57%	0.54%	5.11%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	13.16%	10.89%	16.11%	35.47%	-16.56%	12.31%

Correlation

The correlation between OCTW 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2021	0.79

The correlation between OCTW and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

OCTW vs. QMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OCTW	QMAR
Technology	36.2%	54.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	0.2%
Communication Services	10.9%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	4.2%
Industrials	8.1%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.6%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.2%

Return for Risk

OCTW vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

OCTW

OCTW Risk / Return Rank: 82
OCTW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
OCTW Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
OCTW Omega Ratio Rank: 87
OCTW Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
OCTW Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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: 98

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.

OCTW vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 Oct ETF (OCTW) 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.

	OCTW	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	3.95	-1.31
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	6.18	-2.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.96	-0.41
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.62	7.61	-3.99
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.66	54.94	-36.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

OCTW vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OCTW Sharpe Ratio is 2.64, which is lower than the QMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OCTW 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

	OCTW	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.64	3.95	-1.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.42	0.89	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.48	0.91	+0.57

Drawdowns

OCTW vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OCTW drawdown since its inception was -8.38%, smaller than the maximum QMAR drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OCTW and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	OCTW	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.38%	-19.83%	+11.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.65%	-3.21%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.38%	-15.91%	+7.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.38%	-19.83%	+11.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.09%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.82%	-3.29%	+2.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.71%	0.44%	+0.27%

Volatility

OCTW vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 Oct ETF (OCTW) is 0.74%, while FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) has a volatility of 1.27%. This indicates that OCTW 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

	OCTW	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.74%	1.27%	-0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.81%	4.84%	-1.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.92%	6.09%	-1.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.29%	13.97%	-7.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.14%	13.86%	-7.72%

OCTW vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

OCTW has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than QMAR's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

OCTW vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither OCTW nor QMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OCTW and QMAR in my portfolio?

OCTW 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, OCTW or QMAR?

QMAR has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to OCTW (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OCTW dropped -8.38% vs QMAR's -19.83%.

Which ETF is better, OCTW or QMAR?

On 5-year performance, QMAR leads with 12.38% vs 8.90% for OCTW. On fees, OCTW is cheaper at 0.74% per year. On volatility, OCTW has been the lower-risk option at 0.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OCTW or QMAR?

Over the 5-year period, QMAR has performed better with a 12.38% return vs 8.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OCTW or QMAR?

OCTW is cheaper with a 0.74% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAR.

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

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

What is the main difference between OCTW and QMAR?

OCTW is categorized as Defined Outcome, while QMAR is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Allianz and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for OCTW and 0.90% for QMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.95 vs 2.64), 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.