QBUF vs. BAMU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and BAMU (Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QBUF is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Invesco QQQ Trust, while BAMU is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Brookstone. QBUF is passively managed, while BAMU is actively managed. Over the past year, QBUF returned 11.93% vs 2.93% for BAMU. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QBUF charges 0.79%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for BAMU.

Performance

QBUF vs. BAMU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) and Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QBUF achieves a 4.68% return, which is significantly higher than BAMU's 1.06% return.

QBUF

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 4.68%
• 6M: 4.57%
• 1Y: 11.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BAMU

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 1.06%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 2.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QBUF vs. BAMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	4.68%	11.08%	5.92%
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.06%	3.21%	2.13%

Correlation

The correlation between QBUF and BAMU is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2024	0.02

The correlation between QBUF and BAMU shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QBUF vs. BAMU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QBUF	BAMU
Technology	50.7%	-
Communication Services	15.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	8.7%	-
Healthcare	5.1%	-
Industrials	3.3%	-
Utilities	1.6%	-
Basic Materials	1.3%	-
Energy	0.7%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	98.8%
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

QBUF vs. BAMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QBUF

QBUF Risk / Return Rank: 79
QBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
QBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
QBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
QBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 85

BAMU

BAMU Risk / Return Rank: 98
BAMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
BAMU Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
BAMU Omega Ratio Rank: 98
BAMU Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
BAMU Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

QBUF vs. BAMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) and Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU). 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.

	QBUF	BAMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	4.98	-2.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	8.77	-5.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	2.41	-0.93
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.19	24.89	-19.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.79	97.89	-80.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QBUF vs. BAMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QBUF Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is lower than the BAMU Sharpe Ratio of 4.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QBUF and BAMU, 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

	QBUF	BAMU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	4.98	-2.70
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.36	4.14	-2.78

Drawdowns

QBUF vs. BAMU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QBUF drawdown since its inception was -8.84%, which is greater than BAMU's maximum drawdown of -0.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QBUF and BAMU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QBUF	BAMU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.84%	-0.36%	-8.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.31%	-0.12%	-2.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	0.00%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.82%	-0.02%	-0.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	0.03%	+0.64%

Volatility

QBUF vs. BAMU - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) has a higher volatility of 0.23% compared to Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU) at 0.07%. This indicates that QBUF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BAMU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QBUF	BAMU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.23%	0.07%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.88%	0.43%	+3.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.25%	0.59%	+4.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.47%	0.87%	+7.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.47%	0.87%	+7.60%

QBUF vs. BAMU - Expense Ratio Comparison

QBUF has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than BAMU's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

QBUF vs. BAMU - Dividend Comparison

QBUF has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BAMU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.06%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	3.06%	3.20%	3.97%	0.84%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QBUF and BAMU in my portfolio?

QBUF and BAMU have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QBUF or BAMU?

QBUF has higher volatility (0.23%) compared to BAMU (0.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QBUF dropped -8.84% vs BAMU's -0.36%.

Which ETF is better, QBUF or BAMU?

On 1-year performance, QBUF leads with 11.93% vs 2.93% for BAMU. On fees, QBUF is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, BAMU has been the lower-risk option at 0.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QBUF or BAMU?

Over the 1-year period, QBUF has performed better with a 11.93% return vs 2.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QBUF or BAMU?

QBUF is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for BAMU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QBUF or BAMU?

BAMU has the higher dividend yield at 3.06%, compared with 0.00% for QBUF.

What is the main difference between QBUF and BAMU?

QBUF is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while BAMU is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Brookstone. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QBUF and 1.09% for BAMU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAMU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.98 vs 2.28), 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.