QCOC vs. BUFP

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QCOC (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October) and BUFP (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. QCOC is actively managed, while BUFP is passively managed. Over the past year, QCOC returned 14.66% vs 17.46% for BUFP. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QCOC charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for BUFP.

Performance

QCOC vs. BUFP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October (QCOC) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with QCOC having a 6.29% return and BUFP slightly higher at 6.43%.

QCOC

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 1.76%
• YTD: 6.29%
• 6M: 6.43%
• 1Y: 14.66%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFP

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.87%
• YTD: 6.43%
• 6M: 7.23%
• 1Y: 17.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QCOC vs. BUFP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QCOC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October	6.29%	11.18%	2.01%
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	6.43%	12.92%	1.05%

Correlation

The correlation between QCOC and BUFP is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2024	0.86

The correlation between QCOC and BUFP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QCOC vs. BUFP — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCOC

QCOC Risk / Return Rank: 77
QCOC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
QCOC Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
QCOC Omega Ratio Rank: 86
QCOC Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QCOC Martin Ratio Rank: 77

BUFP

BUFP Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUFP Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BUFP Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BUFP Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
BUFP Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

QCOC vs. BUFP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October (QCOC) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). 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.

	QCOC	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	2.80	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.55	4.17	-0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.58	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	3.98	-0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.46	22.25	-7.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QCOC vs. BUFP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCOC Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the BUFP Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCOC and BUFP, 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

	QCOC	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	2.80	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.32	1.41	-0.09

Drawdowns

QCOC vs. BUFP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCOC drawdown since its inception was -10.45%, smaller than the maximum BUFP drawdown of -11.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCOC and BUFP.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCOC	BUFP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.45%	-11.98%	+1.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.64%	-4.41%	-0.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.03%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.07%	-1.00%	-0.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.02%	0.79%	+0.23%

Volatility

QCOC vs. BUFP - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October (QCOC) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP) have volatilities of 0.88% and 0.91%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCOC	BUFP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	0.91%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.91%	4.82%	+0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.91%	6.26%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.39%	9.48%	-0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.39%	9.48%	-0.09%

QCOC vs. BUFP - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCOC has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

QCOC vs. BUFP - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.02%
QCOC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCOC and BUFP in my portfolio?

QCOC and BUFP have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QCOC or BUFP?

BUFP has higher volatility (0.91%) compared to QCOC (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCOC dropped -10.45% vs BUFP's -11.98%.

Which ETF is better, QCOC or BUFP?

On 1-year performance, BUFP leads with 17.46% vs 14.66% for QCOC. On fees, BUFP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QCOC or BUFP?

Over the 1-year period, BUFP has performed better with a 17.46% return vs 14.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QCOC or BUFP?

BUFP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QCOC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QCOC or BUFP?

BUFP has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for QCOC.

What is the main difference between QCOC and BUFP?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QCOC and 0.50% for BUFP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 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.