QCAP vs. QTOP

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

QCAP (FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April) and QTOP (iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QCAP is actively managed, while QTOP is passively managed. Over the past year, QCAP returned 7.98% vs 26.03% for QTOP. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QCAP charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for QTOP.

Performance

QCAP vs. QTOP - 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 iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCAP achieves a 4.16% return, which is significantly lower than QTOP's 12.29% return.

QCAP

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: -0.24%
• 6M: 3.70%
• YTD: 4.16%
• 1Y: 7.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.82%

QTOP

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -3.71%
• 6M: 10.80%
• YTD: 12.29%
• 1Y: 26.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 23.79%

*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)
QCAP FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April	$301.74K	$289.61K	$395.99K
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF	$6.40M	$5.80M	$7.08M

QCAP vs. QTOP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QCAP FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April	4.16%	7.13%	2.23%
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF	12.29%	22.19%	6.25%

Correlation

The correlation between QCAP and QTOP is 0.86, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2024	0.87

The correlation between QCAP and QTOP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QCAP vs. QTOP — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCAP

QCAP Risk / Return Rank: 85
QCAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QCAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
QCAP Omega Ratio Rank: 90
QCAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
QCAP Martin Ratio Rank: 92

QTOP

QTOP Risk / Return Rank: 46
QTOP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
QTOP Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
QTOP Omega Ratio Rank: 42
QTOP Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
QTOP Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

QCAP vs. QTOP - 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 iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP). 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.

	QCAP	QTOP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	1.09	+0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	1.58	+1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.20	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	1.79	+1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.28	5.58	+10.70

QCAP vs. QTOP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCAP Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is higher than the QTOP Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCAP and QTOP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

QCAP vs. QTOP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCAP drawdown since its inception was -9.17%, smaller than the maximum QTOP drawdown of -23.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCAP and QTOP.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCAP	QTOP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.17%	-23.28%	+14.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.58%	-13.02%	+10.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.10%	-8.69%	+7.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.55%	-3.93%	+3.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	4.18%	-3.70%

Volatility

QCAP vs. QTOP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April (QCAP) is 2.11%, while iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) has a volatility of 8.33%. This indicates that QCAP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QTOP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCAP	QTOP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.11%	8.33%	-6.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.88%	18.01%	-14.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.20%	21.39%	-17.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.71%	23.79%	-15.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.71%	23.79%	-15.08%

QCAP vs. QTOP - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCAP has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than QTOP's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

QCAP vs. QTOP - Dividend Comparison

QCAP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QTOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QCAP FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF	0.35%	0.38%	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCAP and QTOP in my portfolio?

QCAP and QTOP 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 is riskier, QCAP or QTOP?

QTOP has higher volatility (8.33%) compared to QCAP (2.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCAP dropped -9.17% vs QTOP's -23.28%.

Which ETF is better, QCAP or QTOP?

On 1-year performance, QTOP leads with 26.03% vs 7.98% for QCAP. On fees, QTOP is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, QCAP has been the lower-risk option at 2.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QCAP or QTOP?

Over the 1-year period, QTOP has performed better with a 26.03% return vs 7.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QCAP or QTOP?

QTOP is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QCAP.

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

QTOP has the higher dividend yield at 0.35%, compared with 0.00% for QCAP.

What is the main difference between QCAP and QTOP?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QCAP and 0.20% for QTOP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.09), 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.