PBQQ vs. QCJL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PBQQ (PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF) and QCJL (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July) are both exchange-traded funds - PBQQ is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM, while QCJL is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PBQQ returned 20.98% vs 14.69% for QCJL. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PBQQ charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QCJL.

Performance

PBQQ vs. QCJL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ) and FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBQQ achieves a 9.10% return, which is significantly higher than QCJL's 5.15% return.

PBQQ

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 2.58%
• YTD: 9.10%
• 6M: 9.79%
• 1Y: 20.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QCJL

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 1.24%
• YTD: 5.15%
• 6M: 5.61%
• 1Y: 14.69%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PBQQ vs. QCJL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF	9.10%	15.44%
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	5.15%	13.15%

Correlation

The correlation between PBQQ and QCJL is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.93

The correlation between PBQQ and QCJL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PBQQ vs. QCJL — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBQQ

PBQQ Risk / Return Rank: 89
PBQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PBQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PBQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PBQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PBQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 91

QCJL

QCJL Risk / Return Rank: 81
QCJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
QCJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
QCJL Omega Ratio Rank: 84
QCJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
QCJL Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

PBQQ vs. QCJL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ) and FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL). 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.

	PBQQ	QCJL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	2.51	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.33	3.67	+0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.51	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.47	3.69	+0.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.36	18.73	+2.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PBQQ vs. QCJL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is comparable to the QCJL Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBQQ and QCJL, 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

	PBQQ	QCJL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.94	2.51	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.50	1.29	+0.22

Drawdowns

PBQQ vs. QCJL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBQQ drawdown since its inception was -12.92%, which is greater than QCJL's maximum drawdown of -11.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBQQ and QCJL.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBQQ	QCJL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.92%	-11.18%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.71%	-4.00%	-0.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.06%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.26%	-1.07%	-0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.98%	0.79%	+0.19%

Volatility

PBQQ vs. QCJL - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ) has a higher volatility of 1.07% compared to FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL) at 0.39%. This indicates that PBQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QCJL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PBQQ	QCJL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.07%	0.39%	+0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.51%	4.32%	+1.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.18%	5.89%	+1.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.88%	9.48%	+2.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.88%	9.48%	+2.40%

PBQQ vs. QCJL - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBQQ has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than QCJL's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBQQ vs. QCJL - Dividend Comparison

PBQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, while QCJL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBQQ and QCJL in my portfolio?

PBQQ and QCJL have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBQQ or QCJL?

PBQQ has higher volatility (1.07%) compared to QCJL (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBQQ dropped -12.92% vs QCJL's -11.18%.

Which ETF is better, PBQQ or QCJL?

On 1-year performance, PBQQ leads with 20.98% vs 14.69% for QCJL. On fees, PBQQ is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, QCJL has been the lower-risk option at 0.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PBQQ or QCJL?

Over the 1-year period, PBQQ has performed better with a 20.98% return vs 14.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBQQ or QCJL?

PBQQ is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QCJL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PBQQ or QCJL?

PBQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for QCJL.

What is the main difference between PBQQ and QCJL?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.51), 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.