QMAG vs. DRLL

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

QMAG (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and DRLL (Strive U.S. Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QMAG is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while DRLL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg US Energy Select Index. QMAG is actively managed, while DRLL is passively managed. Over the past year, QMAG returned 13.29% vs 41.89% for DRLL. Their 0.04 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. QMAG charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for DRLL.

Performance

QMAG vs. DRLL - 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 Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QMAG achieves a 8.23% return, which is significantly lower than DRLL's 33.53% return.

QMAG

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 1.36%
• 6M: 7.97%
• YTD: 8.23%
• 1Y: 13.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.55%

DRLL

• 1D: -1.05%
• 1M: 11.55%
• 6M: 17.30%
• YTD: 33.53%
• 1Y: 41.89%
• 3Y*: 12.03%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.07%

*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)
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	$455.44K	$502.20K	$532.52K
QMAG FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August	$134.12K	$148.52K	$246.21K

QMAG vs. DRLL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QMAG FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August	8.23%	13.16%	4.71%
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	33.53%	7.74%	-5.42%

Correlation

The correlation between QMAG and DRLL is -0.17, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2024	0.04

The correlation between QMAG and DRLL shifts across timeframes, from -0.17 (1 year) to 0.04 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QMAG vs. DRLL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QMAG

QMAG Risk / Return Rank: 72
QMAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
QMAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
QMAG Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QMAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
QMAG Martin Ratio Rank: 80

DRLL

DRLL Risk / Return Rank: 61
DRLL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DRLL Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
DRLL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
DRLL Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
DRLL Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

QMAG vs. DRLL - 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 Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). 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.

	QMAG	DRLL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	1.83	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	2.37	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.30	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	2.48	+0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.91	6.29	+5.62

QMAG vs. DRLL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QMAG Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the DRLL Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QMAG and DRLL, 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

QMAG vs. DRLL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QMAG drawdown since its inception was -12.44%, smaller than the maximum DRLL drawdown of -23.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QMAG and DRLL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QMAG	DRLL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.44%	-23.73%	+11.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.23%	-16.99%	+11.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-6.51%	+6.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.09%	-8.14%	+7.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.12%	6.68%	-5.56%

Volatility

QMAG vs. DRLL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August (QMAG) is 1.71%, while Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) has a volatility of 7.12%. This indicates that QMAG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DRLL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QMAG	DRLL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.71%	7.12%	-5.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.62%	18.68%	-13.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.30%	22.97%	-15.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.55%	23.79%	-13.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.55%	23.79%	-13.24%

QMAG vs. DRLL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QMAG has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than DRLL's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

QMAG vs. DRLL - Dividend Comparison

QMAG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DRLL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.27%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	2.27%	2.99%	3.00%	3.01%	1.18%
QMAG FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QMAG and DRLL in my portfolio?

QMAG and DRLL have a correlation of -0.17, 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 DRLL?

DRLL has higher volatility (7.12%) compared to QMAG (1.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QMAG dropped -12.44% vs DRLL's -23.73%.

Which ETF is better, QMAG or DRLL?

On 1-year performance, DRLL leads with 41.89% vs 13.29% for QMAG. On fees, DRLL is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, QMAG has been the lower-risk option at 1.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QMAG or DRLL?

Over the 1-year period, DRLL has performed better with a 41.89% return vs 13.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QMAG or DRLL?

DRLL is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAG.

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

DRLL has the higher dividend yield at 2.27%, compared with 0.00% for QMAG.

What is the main difference between QMAG and DRLL?

QMAG is categorized as Defined Outcome, while DRLL is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QMAG and 0.41% for DRLL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.83), 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.