QBUF vs. IQQ

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and IQQ (iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QBUF tracks the Invesco QQQ Trust while IQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Their 0.99 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. QBUF charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IQQ.

Performance

QBUF vs. IQQ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

QBUF

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 0.01%
• 6M: 2.65%
• YTD: 3.75%
• 1Y: 9.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.01%

IQQ

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IQQ iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF	$29.42M	$36.69M	$36.69M
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	$840.97K	$1.01M	$957.50K

QBUF vs. IQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	-0.05%
IQQ iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF	-2.95%

Correlation

The correlation between QBUF and IQQ is 0.99 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2026	0.99

Return for Risk

QBUF vs. IQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QBUF

QBUF Risk / Return Rank: 67
QBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
QBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
QBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 69
QBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
QBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 79

IQQ

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QBUF vs. IQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) and iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (IQQ). 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.

	QBUF	IQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.08	—	—

Drawdowns

QBUF vs. IQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QBUF drawdown since its inception was -8.84%, roughly equal to the maximum IQQ drawdown of -8.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QBUF and IQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QBUF	IQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.84%	-8.80%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.17%	-3.54%	+2.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.83%	-3.69%	+2.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.86%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QBUF	IQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.63%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.14%	23.60%	-17.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.45%	23.60%	-15.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.45%	23.60%	-15.15%

QBUF vs. IQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QBUF has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than IQQ's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

QBUF vs. IQQ - Dividend Comparison

Neither QBUF nor IQQ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QBUF and IQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, QBUF and IQQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, QBUF or IQQ?

On fees, IQQ is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QBUF or IQQ?

IQQ is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QBUF.

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

QBUF and IQQ have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between QBUF and IQQ?

QBUF tracks Invesco QQQ Trust, while IQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QBUF and 0.10% for IQQ.