QFLR vs. YSEP

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QFLR (Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF) and YSEP (FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September) are both exchange-traded funds - QFLR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Innovator, while YSEP is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QFLR returned 16.15% vs 16.77% for YSEP. Their 0.58 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QFLR charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for YSEP.

Performance

QFLR vs. YSEP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF (QFLR) and FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September (YSEP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QFLR achieves a 3.44% return, which is significantly lower than YSEP's 7.61% return.

QFLR

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: -0.51%
• 6M: 0.88%
• YTD: 3.44%
• 1Y: 16.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.62%

YSEP

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 1.28%
• 6M: 4.69%
• YTD: 7.61%
• 1Y: 16.77%
• 3Y*: 11.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.15%

*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)
QFLR Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF	$3.00M	$2.42M	$2.41M
YSEP FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September	$299.83K	$230.29K	$404.18K

QFLR vs. YSEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QFLR Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF	3.44%	17.27%	16.30%
YSEP FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September	7.61%	19.88%	5.69%

Correlation

The correlation between QFLR and YSEP is 0.68, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2024	0.58

The correlation between QFLR and YSEP shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (all time) to 0.68 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QFLR vs. YSEP — Risk / Return Rank

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

QFLR

QFLR Risk / Return Rank: 48
QFLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
QFLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
QFLR Omega Ratio Rank: 43
QFLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
QFLR Martin Ratio Rank: 55

YSEP

YSEP Risk / Return Rank: 84
YSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
YSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
YSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 86
YSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
YSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

QFLR vs. YSEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF (QFLR) and FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September (YSEP). 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.

	QFLR	YSEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	2.12	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	3.10	-1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.40	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	3.10	-1.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.90	12.95	-6.05

QFLR vs. YSEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QFLR Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is lower than the YSEP Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QFLR and YSEP, 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

QFLR vs. YSEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QFLR drawdown since its inception was -13.97%, smaller than the maximum YSEP drawdown of -22.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QFLR and YSEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	QFLR	YSEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.97%	-22.58%	+8.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.93%	-5.43%	-2.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-7.39%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.69%	0.00%	-3.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.56%	-4.02%	+1.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	1.30%	+1.05%

Volatility

QFLR vs. YSEP - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF (QFLR) has a higher volatility of 5.37% compared to FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September (YSEP) at 1.97%. This indicates that QFLR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than YSEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QFLR	YSEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.37%	1.97%	+3.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.33%	6.55%	+4.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.05%	7.95%	+6.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.42%	11.30%	+2.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.42%	11.30%	+2.12%

QFLR vs. YSEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

QFLR has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is lower than YSEP's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

QFLR vs. YSEP - Dividend Comparison

Neither QFLR nor YSEP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QFLR Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF	0.00%	0.02%	0.03%
YSEP FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QFLR and YSEP in my portfolio?

QFLR and YSEP have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QFLR or YSEP?

QFLR has higher volatility (5.37%) compared to YSEP (1.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QFLR dropped -13.97% vs YSEP's -22.58%.

Which ETF is better, QFLR or YSEP?

On 1-year performance, YSEP leads with 16.77% vs 16.15% for QFLR. On fees, QFLR is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, YSEP has been the lower-risk option at 1.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QFLR or YSEP?

Over the 1-year period, YSEP has performed better with a 16.77% return vs 16.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QFLR or YSEP?

QFLR is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for YSEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QFLR or YSEP?

QFLR and YSEP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between QFLR and YSEP?

QFLR is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while YSEP is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for QFLR and 0.90% for YSEP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YSEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.16), 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.