QB vs. QQQ

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

QB (ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QB is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Nasdaq-100, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QB returned 18.28% vs 29.05% for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QB charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

QB vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF (QB) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QB achieves a 12.15% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.13% return.

QB

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 3.02%
• 6M: 10.85%
• YTD: 12.15%
• 1Y: 18.28%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: -1.22%
• 6M: 13.75%
• YTD: 16.13%
• 1Y: 29.05%
• 3Y*: 24.08%
• 5Y*: 15.10%
• 10Y*: 21.19%

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

QB vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QB ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF	12.15%	6.10%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.13%	13.80%

Correlation

The correlation between QB and QQQ is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.82

The correlation between QB and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

QB vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QB	QQQ
Technology	49.9%	58.7%
Communication Services	16.4%	14.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.5%	11.4%
Consumer Defensive	8.6%	6.4%
Healthcare	5.3%	3.7%
Industrials	3.7%	2.6%
Utilities	1.6%	1.2%
Basic Materials	1.3%	1.0%
Energy	0.6%	0.5%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

QB vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QB

QB Risk / Return Rank: 94
QB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
QB Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
QB Omega Ratio Rank: 95
QB Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
QB Martin Ratio Rank: 96

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 58
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 56
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

QB vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF (QB) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.

	QB	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	1.57	+1.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	2.13	+1.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.28	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.28	2.44	+2.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.48	8.74	+16.74

QB vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QB Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is higher than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QB and QQQ, 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

QB vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QB drawdown since its inception was -3.47%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QB and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QB	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.47%	-82.97%	+79.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.47%	-11.96%	+8.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.77%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-4.51%	+4.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.42%	-32.67%	+32.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.72%	3.33%	-2.61%

Volatility

QB vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF (QB) is 3.05%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 8.69%. This indicates that QB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QB	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.05%	8.69%	-5.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.83%	15.40%	-9.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.03%	18.61%	-11.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.93%	22.80%	-15.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.93%	22.44%	-15.51%

QB vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QB has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

QB vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

QB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QB ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF	0.78%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.43%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QB and QQQ in my portfolio?

QB and QQQ have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QB or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (8.69%) compared to QB (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QB dropped -3.47% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, QB or QQQ?

On 1-year performance, QQQ leads with 29.05% vs 18.28% for QB. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QB has been the lower-risk option at 3.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QB or QQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 29.05% return vs 18.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QB or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for QB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QB or QQQ?

QB has the higher dividend yield at 0.78%, compared with 0.43% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between QB and QQQ?

QB is categorized as Defined Outcome, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. QB tracks Nasdaq-100, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for QB and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 1.57), 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.