QCJL vs. FAAR
QCJL (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QCJL is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust, while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QCJL returned 14.55% vs 40.27% for FAAR. At a correlation of -0.05, they often move in opposite directions. QCJL charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
QCJL vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QCJL achieves a 5.19% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 25.13% return.
QCJL
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 1.18%
- YTD
- 5.19%
- 6M
- 5.63%
- 1Y
- 14.55%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.47%
- 1M
- -0.49%
- YTD
- 25.13%
- 6M
- 21.92%
- 1Y
- 40.27%
- 3Y*
- 11.68%
- 5Y*
- 7.97%
- 10Y*
- 5.12%
QCJL vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July | 5.19% | 13.10% | 4.12% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 25.13% | 8.07% | -0.09% |
Correlation
The correlation between QCJL and FAAR is -0.18, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.18 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2024 | -0.05 |
The correlation between QCJL and FAAR shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (1 year) to -0.05 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
QCJL vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
QCJL
FAAR
QCJL vs. FAAR - 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 First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR). 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 | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.55 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.50 | 1.51 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.65 | 8.35 | -4.70 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.55 | 23.34 | -4.78 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| QCJL | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.49 | 3.00 | -0.52 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.62 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.45 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.29 | 0.44 | +0.84 |
Drawdowns
QCJL vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QCJL drawdown since its inception was -11.18%, smaller than the maximum FAAR drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCJL and FAAR.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| QCJL | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -11.18% | -18.03% | +6.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.00% | -4.85% | +0.85% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -11.54% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -18.03% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.03% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.02% | -1.57% | +1.55% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.07% | -7.84% | +6.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.79% | 1.73% | -0.94% |
Volatility
QCJL vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL) is 0.39%, while First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) has a volatility of 2.36%. This indicates that QCJL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| QCJL | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.39% | 2.36% | -1.97% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.31% | 9.70% | -5.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.88% | 13.49% | -7.61% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.47% | 13.01% | -3.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.47% | 11.51% | -2.04% |
QCJL vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
QCJL has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
QCJL vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
QCJL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FAAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.20%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.20% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% |
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QCJL and FAAR have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FAAR has higher volatility (2.36%) compared to QCJL (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCJL dropped -11.18% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 1-year performance, FAAR leads with 40.27% vs 14.55% for QCJL. On fees, QCJL is cheaper at 0.90% per year. On volatility, QCJL has been the lower-risk option at 0.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, FAAR has performed better with a 40.27% return vs 14.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QCJL is cheaper with a 0.90% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.20%, compared with 0.00% for QCJL.
QCJL is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while FAAR is Commodities. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QCJL and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 2.49), 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.
Find the right allocation for QCJL and FAAR
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer