QCOC vs. PMAU

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

QCOC (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October) and PMAU (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QCOC charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMAU.

Performance

QCOC vs. PMAU - 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 S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August (PMAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCOC achieves a 6.65% return, which is significantly higher than PMAU's 3.59% return.

QCOC

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.70%
• 6M: 5.74%
• YTD: 6.65%
• 1Y: 12.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PMAU

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.64%
• 6M: 3.27%
• YTD: 3.59%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QCOC vs. PMAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QCOC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October	6.65%	4.39%
PMAU PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August	3.59%	2.94%

Correlation

The correlation between QCOC and PMAU is 0.86, 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 Aug 1, 2025	0.86

Return for Risk

QCOC vs. PMAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCOC

QCOC Risk / Return Rank: 79
QCOC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QCOC Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
QCOC Omega Ratio Rank: 86
QCOC Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
QCOC Martin Ratio Rank: 79

PMAU

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. PMAU - 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 S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August (PMAU). 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	PMAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.96	—	—

Drawdowns

QCOC vs. PMAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCOC drawdown since its inception was -10.45%, which is greater than PMAU's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCOC and PMAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCOC	PMAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.45%	-1.79%	-8.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.64%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.03%	-0.16%	-0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.03%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QCOC	PMAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.82%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.08%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.07%	2.42%	+3.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.25%	2.42%	+6.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.25%	2.42%	+6.83%

QCOC vs. PMAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

QCOC vs. PMAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither QCOC nor PMAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCOC and PMAU in my portfolio?

QCOC and PMAU have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QCOC or PMAU?

On fees, PMAU is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QCOC or PMAU?

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

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

QCOC and PMAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between QCOC and PMAU?

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