QBUF vs. XQQI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and XQQI (NEOS Boosted Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QBUF is passively managed, while XQQI is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QBUF charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.98%/yr for XQQI.

Performance

QBUF vs. XQQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) and NEOS Boosted Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (XQQI). 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*: —

XQQI

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: 9.52%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QBUF vs. XQQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	4.19%
XQQI NEOS Boosted Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	18.14%

Correlation

The correlation between QBUF and XQQI is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2026	0.86

Return for Risk

QBUF vs. XQQI — 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. XQQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) and NEOS Boosted Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (XQQI). 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	XQQI	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	XQQI	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	2.97	-1.61

Drawdowns

QBUF vs. XQQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QBUF drawdown since its inception was -8.84%, smaller than the maximum XQQI drawdown of -12.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QBUF and XQQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QBUF	XQQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.84%	-12.53%	+3.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.31%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	-0.59%	+0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.82%	-2.05%	+1.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QBUF	XQQI	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%	22.32%	-17.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.47%	22.32%	-13.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.47%	22.32%	-13.85%

QBUF vs. XQQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QBUF has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than XQQI's 0.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

QBUF vs. XQQI - Dividend Comparison

QBUF has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XQQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.88%.

Position	TTM
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%
XQQI NEOS Boosted Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	7.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QBUF and XQQI in my portfolio?

QBUF and XQQI have a correlation of 0.86, 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 XQQI?

On fees, QBUF is cheaper at 0.79% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QBUF or XQQI?

QBUF is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for XQQI.

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

XQQI has the higher dividend yield at 7.88%, compared with 0.00% for QBUF.

What is the main difference between QBUF and XQQI?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and NEOS. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QBUF and 0.98% for XQQI.