QCOC vs. DRLL

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

QCOC (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October) and DRLL (Strive U.S. Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QCOC is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while DRLL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg US Energy Select Index. QCOC is actively managed, while DRLL is passively managed. Over the past year, QCOC returned 12.34% vs 37.23% for DRLL. Their -0.00 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. QCOC charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for DRLL.

Performance

QCOC vs. DRLL - 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 Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCOC achieves a 7.42% return, which is significantly lower than DRLL's 29.95% return.

QCOC

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.90%
• 6M: 7.99%
• YTD: 7.42%
• 1Y: 12.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.55%

DRLL

• 1D: -2.68%
• 1M: 8.84%
• 6M: 11.16%
• YTD: 29.95%
• 1Y: 37.23%
• 3Y*: 11.02%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.29%

*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)
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	$478.10K	$507.89K	$528.94K
QCOC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October	$165.63K	$143.34K	$339.72K

QCOC vs. DRLL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QCOC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October	7.42%	11.18%	1.79%
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	29.95%	7.74%	-4.69%

Correlation

The correlation between QCOC and DRLL is -0.21, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2024	-0.00

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between QCOC and DRLL has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.00 to -0.21, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

QCOC vs. DRLL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCOC

QCOC Risk / Return Rank: 76
QCOC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QCOC Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
QCOC Omega Ratio Rank: 82
QCOC Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
QCOC Martin Ratio Rank: 80

DRLL

DRLL Risk / Return Rank: 53
DRLL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
DRLL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DRLL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DRLL Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
DRLL Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

QCOC vs. DRLL - 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 Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). 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.

	QCOC	DRLL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	1.62	+0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	2.13	+0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.27	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	2.20	+0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.77	5.57	+6.20

QCOC vs. DRLL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCOC Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the DRLL Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCOC and DRLL, 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

QCOC vs. DRLL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCOC drawdown since its inception was -10.45%, smaller than the maximum DRLL drawdown of -23.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCOC and DRLL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCOC	DRLL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.45%	-23.73%	+13.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.64%	-16.99%	+12.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-9.02%	+9.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.01%	-8.14%	+7.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.05%	6.71%	-5.66%

Volatility

QCOC vs. DRLL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October (QCOC) is 2.03%, while Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) has a volatility of 7.42%. This indicates that QCOC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DRLL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCOC	DRLL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.03%	7.42%	-5.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.24%	18.67%	-13.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.30%	23.14%	-16.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.18%	23.82%	-14.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.18%	23.82%	-14.64%

QCOC vs. DRLL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCOC has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than DRLL's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

QCOC vs. DRLL - Dividend Comparison

QCOC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DRLL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	2.34%	2.99%	3.00%	3.01%	1.18%
QCOC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCOC and DRLL in my portfolio?

QCOC and DRLL have a correlation of -0.21, 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 DRLL?

DRLL has higher volatility (7.42%) compared to QCOC (2.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCOC dropped -10.45% vs DRLL's -23.73%.

Which ETF is better, QCOC or DRLL?

On 1-year performance, DRLL leads with 37.23% vs 12.34% for QCOC. On fees, DRLL is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, QCOC has been the lower-risk option at 2.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QCOC or DRLL?

Over the 1-year period, DRLL has performed better with a 37.23% return vs 12.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QCOC or DRLL?

DRLL is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QCOC.

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

DRLL has the higher dividend yield at 2.34%, compared with 0.00% for QCOC.

What is the main difference between QCOC and DRLL?

QCOC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while DRLL is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QCOC and 0.41% for DRLL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCOC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.62), 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.