QCAP vs. FSEP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QCAP (FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April) and FSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) are both exchange-traded funds - QCAP is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by FT Vest, while FSEP is a Options Trading fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index September. QCAP is actively managed, while FSEP is passively managed. Over the past year, QCAP returned 11.06% vs 17.62% for FSEP. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QCAP charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FSEP.

Performance

QCAP vs. FSEP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April (QCAP) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCAP achieves a 5.23% return, which is significantly lower than FSEP's 6.56% return.

QCAP

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 2.34%
• YTD: 5.23%
• 6M: 5.92%
• 1Y: 11.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FSEP

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 2.58%
• YTD: 6.56%
• 6M: 7.03%
• 1Y: 17.62%
• 3Y*: 14.44%
• 5Y*: 10.07%
• 10Y*: —

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

QCAP vs. FSEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QCAP FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April	5.23%	7.13%	10.40%
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	6.56%	12.83%	9.63%

Correlation

The correlation between QCAP and FSEP 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 Apr 23, 2024	0.82

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

Return for Risk

QCAP vs. FSEP — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCAP

QCAP Risk / Return Rank: 97
QCAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
QCAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
QCAP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
QCAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
QCAP Martin Ratio Rank: 98

FSEP

FSEP Risk / Return Rank: 74
FSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
FSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

QCAP vs. FSEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April (QCAP) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP). 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.

	QCAP	FSEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.17	2.36	+1.81
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	7.37	3.40	+3.97
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.99	1.47	+0.52
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	13.50	3.15	+10.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	67.84	15.90	+51.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QCAP vs. FSEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCAP Sharpe Ratio is 4.17, which is higher than the FSEP Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCAP and FSEP, 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

	QCAP	FSEP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.17	2.36	+1.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.94	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.26	1.10	+0.16

Drawdowns

QCAP vs. FSEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCAP drawdown since its inception was -9.17%, smaller than the maximum FSEP drawdown of -13.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCAP and FSEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCAP	FSEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.17%	-13.79%	+4.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.82%	-5.62%	+4.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.37%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	-0.22%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.52%	-2.14%	+1.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.16%	1.11%	-0.95%

Volatility

QCAP vs. FSEP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April (QCAP) is 0.99%, while FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) has a volatility of 1.19%. This indicates that QCAP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCAP	FSEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.99%	1.19%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.93%	5.79%	-3.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.69%	7.52%	-4.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.73%	10.79%	-2.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.73%	10.54%	-1.81%

QCAP vs. FSEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCAP has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than FSEP's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

QCAP vs. FSEP - Dividend Comparison

Neither QCAP nor FSEP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCAP and FSEP in my portfolio?

QCAP and FSEP 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, QCAP or FSEP?

FSEP has higher volatility (1.19%) compared to QCAP (0.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCAP dropped -9.17% vs FSEP's -13.79%.

Which ETF is better, QCAP or FSEP?

On 1-year performance, FSEP leads with 17.62% vs 11.06% for QCAP. On fees, FSEP is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, QCAP has been the lower-risk option at 0.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QCAP or FSEP?

Over the 1-year period, FSEP has performed better with a 17.62% return vs 11.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QCAP or FSEP?

FSEP is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QCAP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QCAP or FSEP?

QCAP and FSEP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between QCAP and FSEP?

QCAP is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while FSEP is Options Trading. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QCAP and 0.85% for FSEP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.17 vs 2.36), 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.