QMAR vs. PBQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) and PBQQ (PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QMAR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust, while PBQQ is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QMAR returned 23.38% vs 20.98% for PBQQ. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QMAR charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBQQ.

Performance

QMAR vs. PBQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) and PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QMAR achieves a 13.06% return, which is significantly higher than PBQQ's 9.10% return.

QMAR

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 2.81%
• YTD: 13.06%
• 6M: 14.01%
• 1Y: 23.38%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 12.13%
• 10Y*: —

PBQQ

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 2.58%
• YTD: 9.10%
• 6M: 9.79%
• 1Y: 20.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QMAR vs. PBQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	13.06%	10.94%
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF	9.10%	15.44%

Correlation

The correlation between QMAR and PBQQ is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.92

The correlation between QMAR and PBQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QMAR vs. PBQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QMAR

QMAR Risk / Return Rank: 96
QMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
QMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
QMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
QMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
QMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 97

PBQQ

PBQQ Risk / Return Rank: 89
PBQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PBQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PBQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PBQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PBQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

QMAR vs. PBQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) and PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ). 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.

	QMAR	PBQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.86	2.94	+0.92
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	6.05	4.33	+1.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.93	1.59	+0.34
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.31	4.47	+2.84
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	52.66	21.36	+31.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QMAR vs. PBQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QMAR Sharpe Ratio is 3.86, which is higher than the PBQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QMAR and PBQQ, 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

	QMAR	PBQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.86	2.94	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	1.50	-0.60

Drawdowns

QMAR vs. PBQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QMAR drawdown since its inception was -19.83%, which is greater than PBQQ's maximum drawdown of -12.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QMAR and PBQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QMAR	PBQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.83%	-12.92%	-6.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.21%	-4.71%	+1.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.83%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.21%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.28%	-1.26%	-2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.45%	0.98%	-0.53%

Volatility

QMAR vs. PBQQ - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) has a higher volatility of 1.27% compared to PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ) at 1.07%. This indicates that QMAR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PBQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QMAR	PBQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.27%	1.07%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.85%	5.51%	-0.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.09%	7.18%	-1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.97%	11.88%	+2.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.85%	11.88%	+1.97%

QMAR vs. PBQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QMAR has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than PBQQ's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

QMAR vs. PBQQ - Dividend Comparison

QMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PBQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QMAR and PBQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, QMAR and PBQQ 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, QMAR or PBQQ?

QMAR has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to PBQQ (1.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QMAR dropped -19.83% vs PBQQ's -12.92%.

Which ETF is better, QMAR or PBQQ?

On 1-year performance, QMAR leads with 23.38% vs 20.98% for PBQQ. On fees, PBQQ is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PBQQ has been the lower-risk option at 1.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QMAR or PBQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QMAR has performed better with a 23.38% return vs 20.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QMAR or PBQQ?

PBQQ is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QMAR or PBQQ?

PBQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for QMAR.

What is the main difference between QMAR and PBQQ?

QMAR is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while PBQQ is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QMAR and 0.50% for PBQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.86 vs 2.94), 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.