QMAG vs. BAMU

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

QMAG (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and BAMU (Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QMAG is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while BAMU is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Brookstone. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QMAG returned 15.85% vs 2.97% for BAMU. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QMAG charges 0.90%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for BAMU.

Performance

QMAG vs. BAMU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August (QMAG) and Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QMAG achieves a 5.86% return, which is significantly higher than BAMU's 1.10% return.

QMAG

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 5.86%
• 6M: 5.92%
• 1Y: 15.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BAMU

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 6M: 1.29%
• 1Y: 2.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QMAG vs. BAMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QMAG FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August	5.86%	13.16%	4.03%
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.10%	3.21%	1.34%

Correlation

The correlation between QMAG and BAMU is -0.16, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2024	0.02

The correlation between QMAG and BAMU shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (1 year) to 0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QMAG vs. BAMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QMAG

QMAG Risk / Return Rank: 74
QMAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
QMAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QMAG Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QMAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QMAG Martin Ratio Rank: 79

BAMU

BAMU Risk / Return Rank: 98
BAMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
BAMU Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
BAMU Omega Ratio Rank: 98
BAMU Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
BAMU Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

QMAG vs. BAMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August (QMAG) and Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU). 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.

	QMAG	BAMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	5.05	-2.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	8.89	-5.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	2.43	-1.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	25.24	-22.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.35	99.25	-84.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QMAG vs. BAMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QMAG Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is lower than the BAMU Sharpe Ratio of 5.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QMAG and BAMU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QMAG	BAMU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	5.05	-2.84
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.21	4.15	-2.95

Drawdowns

QMAG vs. BAMU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QMAG drawdown since its inception was -12.44%, which is greater than BAMU's maximum drawdown of -0.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QMAG and BAMU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QMAG	BAMU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.44%	-0.36%	-12.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.23%	-0.12%	-5.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.85%	0.00%	-0.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.16%	-0.02%	-1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.11%	0.03%	+1.08%

Volatility

QMAG vs. BAMU - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August (QMAG) has a higher volatility of 1.05% compared to Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU) at 0.07%. This indicates that QMAG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BAMU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QMAG	BAMU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.05%	0.07%	+0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.66%	0.43%	+5.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.23%	0.59%	+6.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.89%	0.87%	+10.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.89%	0.87%	+10.02%

QMAG vs. BAMU - Expense Ratio Comparison

QMAG has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than BAMU's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

QMAG vs. BAMU - Dividend Comparison

QMAG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BAMU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.06%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	3.06%	3.20%	3.97%	0.84%
QMAG FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QMAG and BAMU in my portfolio?

QMAG and BAMU have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QMAG or BAMU?

QMAG has higher volatility (1.05%) compared to BAMU (0.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QMAG dropped -12.44% vs BAMU's -0.36%.

Which ETF is better, QMAG or BAMU?

On 1-year performance, QMAG leads with 15.85% vs 2.97% for BAMU. On fees, QMAG is cheaper at 0.90% per year. On volatility, BAMU has been the lower-risk option at 0.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QMAG or BAMU?

Over the 1-year period, QMAG has performed better with a 15.85% return vs 2.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QMAG or BAMU?

QMAG is cheaper with a 0.90% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for BAMU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QMAG or BAMU?

BAMU has the higher dividend yield at 3.06%, compared with 0.00% for QMAG.

What is the main difference between QMAG and BAMU?

QMAG is categorized as Defined Outcome, while BAMU is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Brookstone. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QMAG and 1.09% for BAMU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAMU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.05 vs 2.21), 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.