QBUF vs. QEW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and QEW (Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QBUF tracks the Invesco QQQ Trust while QEW tracks the Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QBUF charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QEW.

Performance

QBUF vs. QEW - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

QBUF

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

QEW

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 10.55%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QBUF vs. QEW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	4.98%
QEW Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF	21.49%

Correlation

The correlation between QBUF and QEW is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 19, 2026	0.68

Return for Risk

QBUF vs. QEW — 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

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. QEW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) and Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF (QEW). 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	QEW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.19	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.79	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QBUF	QEW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.36	9.75	-8.39

Drawdowns

QBUF vs. QEW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QBUF drawdown since its inception was -8.84%, which is greater than QEW's maximum drawdown of -4.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QBUF and QEW.

Drawdown Indicators

	QBUF	QEW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.84%	-4.15%	-4.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.31%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	-0.11%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.82%	-0.57%	-0.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QBUF	QEW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.23%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.88%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.25%	15.78%	-10.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.47%	15.78%	-7.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.47%	15.78%	-7.31%

QBUF vs. QEW - Expense Ratio Comparison

QBUF has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than QEW's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

QBUF vs. QEW - Dividend Comparison

Neither QBUF nor QEW has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QBUF and QEW in my portfolio?

QBUF and QEW have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QBUF or QEW?

On fees, QEW is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QBUF or QEW?

QEW is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QBUF.

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

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

What is the main difference between QBUF and QEW?

QBUF tracks Invesco QQQ Trust, while QEW tracks Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QBUF and 0.25% for QEW.