QCJL vs. CAIQ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QCJL (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July) and CAIQ (Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QCJL is actively managed, while CAIQ is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QCJL charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for CAIQ.

Performance

QCJL vs. CAIQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL) and Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCJL achieves a 5.19% return, which is significantly lower than CAIQ's 13.05% return.

QCJL

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.18%
• YTD: 5.19%
• 6M: 5.63%
• 1Y: 14.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CAIQ

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 3.15%
• YTD: 13.05%
• 6M: 12.69%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QCJL vs. CAIQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	5.19%	2.90%
CAIQ Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF	13.05%	4.03%

Correlation

The correlation between QCJL and CAIQ is 0.91, 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 Nov 21, 2025	0.91

Return for Risk

QCJL vs. CAIQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCJL

QCJL Risk / Return Rank: 81
QCJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
QCJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
QCJL Omega Ratio Rank: 84
QCJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
QCJL Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

QCJL vs. CAIQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL) and Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ). 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.

	QCJL	CAIQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.65	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.55	—	—
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

	QCJL	CAIQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.29	2.58	-1.29

Drawdowns

QCJL vs. CAIQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCJL drawdown since its inception was -11.18%, which is greater than CAIQ's maximum drawdown of -9.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCJL and CAIQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCJL	CAIQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.18%	-9.06%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-0.44%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.07%	-1.71%	+0.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.79%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QCJL	CAIQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.39%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.31%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.88%	13.98%	-8.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.47%	13.98%	-4.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.47%	13.98%	-4.51%

QCJL vs. CAIQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCJL has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than CAIQ's 0.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

QCJL vs. CAIQ - Dividend Comparison

QCJL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while CAIQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.49%.

Position	TTM	2025
CAIQ Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF	8.49%	1.54%
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCJL and CAIQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, QCJL and CAIQ 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, QCJL or CAIQ?

On fees, CAIQ is cheaper at 0.74% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QCJL or CAIQ?

CAIQ is cheaper with a 0.74% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QCJL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QCJL or CAIQ?

CAIQ has the higher dividend yield at 8.49%, compared with 0.00% for QCJL.

What is the main difference between QCJL and CAIQ?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Calamos. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QCJL and 0.74% for CAIQ.