QDEC vs. QNXT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QDEC (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December) and QNXT (iShares Nasdaq-100 ex Top 30 ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QDEC is actively managed, while QNXT is passively managed. Over the past year, QDEC returned 22.88% vs 21.16% for QNXT. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QDEC charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for QNXT.

Performance

QDEC vs. QNXT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) and iShares Nasdaq-100 ex Top 30 ETF (QNXT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QDEC achieves a 7.96% return, which is significantly lower than QNXT's 12.44% return.

QDEC

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: -0.54%
• YTD: 7.96%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 22.88%
• 3Y*: 16.64%
• 5Y*: 10.15%
• 10Y*: —

QNXT

• 1D: -1.96%
• 1M: 1.83%
• YTD: 12.44%
• 6M: 11.37%
• 1Y: 21.16%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QDEC vs. QNXT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	7.96%	18.12%	2.65%
QNXT iShares Nasdaq-100 ex Top 30 ETF	12.44%	14.97%	-2.58%

Correlation

The correlation between QDEC and QNXT is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2024	0.81

The correlation between QDEC and QNXT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QDEC vs. QNXT — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDEC

QDEC Risk / Return Rank: 76
QDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
QDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
QDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
QDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 79

QNXT

QNXT Risk / Return Rank: 41
QNXT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
QNXT Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
QNXT Omega Ratio Rank: 37
QNXT Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
QNXT Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

QDEC vs. QNXT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) and iShares Nasdaq-100 ex Top 30 ETF (QNXT). 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.

	QDEC	QNXT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	1.34	+0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	1.89	+1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.23	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	2.09	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.26	6.69	+7.57

QDEC vs. QNXT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is higher than the QNXT Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEC and QNXT, 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

QDEC vs. QNXT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEC drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, which is greater than QNXT's maximum drawdown of -22.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEC and QNXT.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDEC	QNXT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-22.25%	-3.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	-10.16%	+2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.08%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.25%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.65%	-3.39%	+1.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-3.74%	-1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	3.17%	-1.56%

Volatility

QDEC vs. QNXT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) is 3.28%, while iShares Nasdaq-100 ex Top 30 ETF (QNXT) has a volatility of 6.86%. This indicates that QDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QNXT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDEC	QNXT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	6.86%	-3.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.91%	12.01%	-4.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.17%	15.94%	-5.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.75%	19.94%	-5.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.60%	19.94%	-5.34%

QDEC vs. QNXT - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDEC has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than QNXT's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDEC vs. QNXT - Dividend Comparison

QDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QNXT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QNXT iShares Nasdaq-100 ex Top 30 ETF	0.67%	0.64%	0.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDEC and QNXT in my portfolio?

QDEC and QNXT have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QDEC or QNXT?

QNXT has higher volatility (6.86%) compared to QDEC (3.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEC dropped -25.25% vs QNXT's -22.25%.

Which ETF is better, QDEC or QNXT?

On 1-year performance, QDEC leads with 22.88% vs 21.16% for QNXT. On fees, QNXT is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, QDEC has been the lower-risk option at 3.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDEC or QNXT?

Over the 1-year period, QDEC has performed better with a 22.88% return vs 21.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDEC or QNXT?

QNXT is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QDEC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QDEC or QNXT?

QNXT has the higher dividend yield at 0.67%, compared with 0.00% for QDEC.

What is the main difference between QDEC and QNXT?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QDEC and 0.20% for QNXT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.34), 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.