QCJL vs. PBQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QCJL (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July) and PBQQ (PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QCJL is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust, while PBQQ is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QCJL returned 14.69% vs 20.98% for PBQQ. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QCJL charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBQQ.

Performance

QCJL vs. PBQQ - 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 PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCJL achieves a 5.15% return, which is significantly lower than PBQQ's 9.10% return.

QCJL

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 1.24%
• YTD: 5.15%
• 6M: 5.61%
• 1Y: 14.69%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBQQ

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 2.58%
• YTD: 9.10%
• 6M: 9.79%
• 1Y: 20.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QCJL vs. PBQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	5.15%	13.15%
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF	9.10%	15.44%

Correlation

The correlation between QCJL and PBQQ is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.93

The correlation between QCJL and PBQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QCJL vs. PBQQ — 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

PBQQ

PBQQ Risk / Return Rank: 89
PBQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PBQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PBQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PBQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PBQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. PBQQ - 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 PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ). 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	PBQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.94	-0.43
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	4.33	-0.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.59	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.69	4.47	-0.78
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.73	21.36	-2.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QCJL vs. PBQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCJL Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the PBQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCJL and PBQQ, 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

	QCJL	PBQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.94	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.29	1.50	-0.22

Drawdowns

QCJL vs. PBQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCJL drawdown since its inception was -11.18%, smaller than the maximum PBQQ drawdown of -12.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCJL and PBQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCJL	PBQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.18%	-12.92%	+1.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.00%	-4.71%	+0.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-0.21%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.07%	-1.26%	+0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.79%	0.98%	-0.19%

Volatility

QCJL vs. PBQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL) is 0.39%, while PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ) has a volatility of 1.07%. This indicates that QCJL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PBQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCJL	PBQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.39%	1.07%	-0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.32%	5.51%	-1.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.89%	7.18%	-1.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.48%	11.88%	-2.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.48%	11.88%	-2.40%

QCJL vs. PBQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCJL has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than PBQQ's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

QCJL vs. PBQQ - Dividend Comparison

QCJL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PBQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCJL and PBQQ in my portfolio?

QCJL and PBQQ have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QCJL or PBQQ?

PBQQ has higher volatility (1.07%) compared to QCJL (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCJL dropped -11.18% vs PBQQ's -12.92%.

Which ETF is better, QCJL or PBQQ?

On 1-year performance, PBQQ leads with 20.98% vs 14.69% for QCJL. On fees, PBQQ is cheaper at 0.50% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, QCJL or PBQQ?

Over the 1-year period, PBQQ has performed better with a 20.98% return vs 14.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QCJL or PBQQ?

PBQQ is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QCJL.

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

PBQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for QCJL.

What is the main difference between QCJL and PBQQ?

QCJL is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while PBQQ is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QCJL and 0.50% for PBQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.51), 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.