QEW vs. BUFQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QEW (Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF) and BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QEW tracks the Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index while BUFQ tracks the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QEW charges 0.25%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for BUFQ.

Performance

QEW vs. BUFQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF (QEW) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

QEW

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 10.55%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFQ

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 2.68%
• YTD: 9.53%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: 21.61%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QEW vs. BUFQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
QEW Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF	21.49%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	10.08%

Correlation

The correlation between QEW and BUFQ is 0.83, 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 Mar 19, 2026	0.83

Return for Risk

QEW vs. BUFQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 84
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 85
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

QEW vs. BUFQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF (QEW) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QEW	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	9.75	1.42	+8.32

Drawdowns

QEW vs. BUFQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QEW drawdown since its inception was -4.15%, smaller than the maximum BUFQ drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QEW and BUFQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QEW	BUFQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.15%	-15.74%	+11.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-5.39%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	-0.04%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.57%	-2.31%	+1.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.06%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QEW	BUFQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.17%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	6.42%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.78%	8.31%	+7.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.78%	13.35%	+2.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.78%	13.35%	+2.43%

QEW vs. BUFQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QEW has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFQ's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

QEW vs. BUFQ - Dividend Comparison

Neither QEW nor BUFQ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QEW and BUFQ in my portfolio?

QEW and BUFQ have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QEW or BUFQ?

On fees, QEW is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QEW or BUFQ?

QEW is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QEW or BUFQ?

QEW and BUFQ have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between QEW and BUFQ?

QEW tracks Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index, while BUFQ tracks NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for QEW and 1.10% for BUFQ.