QDEC vs. QQQM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QDEC (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December) and QQQM (Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QDEC is actively managed, while QQQM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QDEC returned 10.15%/yr vs 16.11%/yr for QQQM. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QDEC charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QQQM.

Performance

QDEC vs. QQQM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). 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 QQQM's 16.48% return.

QDEC

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

QQQM

• 1D: -3.30%
• 1M: -0.42%
• YTD: 16.48%
• 6M: 15.00%
• 1Y: 34.99%
• 3Y*: 26.15%
• 5Y*: 16.11%
• 10Y*: —

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

QDEC vs. QQQM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	7.96%	18.12%	16.40%	29.29%	-22.26%	17.23%	1.26%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	16.48%	20.85%	25.68%	55.01%	-32.52%	27.45%	1.33%

Correlation

The correlation between QDEC and QQQM is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 21, 2020	0.94

The correlation between QDEC and QQQM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QDEC vs. QQQM — 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

QQQM

QQQM Risk / Return Rank: 60
QQQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
QQQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
QQQM Omega Ratio Rank: 59
QQQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQM Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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. QQQM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). 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	QQQM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	1.97	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	2.58	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.35	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	2.94	+0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.26	10.88	+3.38

QDEC vs. QQQM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the QQQM Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEC and QQQM, 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. QQQM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEC drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, smaller than the maximum QQQM drawdown of -35.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEC and QQQM.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDEC	QQQM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-35.04%	+9.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	-11.96%	+4.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.08%	-22.70%	+6.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.25%	-35.04%	+9.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.65%	-4.24%	+2.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-8.20%	+3.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	3.22%	-1.61%

Volatility

QDEC vs. QQQM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) is 3.28%, while Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) has a volatility of 9.00%. This indicates that QDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDEC	QQQM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	9.00%	-5.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.91%	14.43%	-6.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.17%	17.85%	-7.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.75%	22.53%	-7.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.60%	22.30%	-7.70%

QDEC vs. QQQM - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDEC has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQM's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDEC vs. QQQM - Dividend Comparison

QDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	0.44%	0.50%	0.61%	0.65%	0.83%	0.40%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDEC and QQQM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, QDEC and QQQM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QDEC or QQQM?

QQQM has higher volatility (9.00%) compared to QDEC (3.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEC dropped -25.25% vs QQQM's -35.04%.

Which ETF is better, QDEC or QQQM?

On 5-year performance, QQQM leads with 16.11% vs 10.15% for QDEC. On fees, QQQM is cheaper at 0.15% 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 QQQM?

Over the 5-year period, QQQM has performed better with a 16.11% return vs 10.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDEC or QQQM?

QQQM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QDEC.

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

QQQM has the higher dividend yield at 0.44%, compared with 0.00% for QDEC.

What is the main difference between QDEC and QQQM?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QDEC and 0.15% for QQQM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.97), 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.