QMAR vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QMAR is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QMAR returned 12.38%/yr vs 18.43%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QMAR charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

QMAR vs. QQQ - 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 Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QMAR achieves a 13.16% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.62% return.

QMAR

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 2.78%
• YTD: 13.16%
• 6M: 14.21%
• 1Y: 23.95%
• 3Y*: 16.76%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 10.68%
• YTD: 21.62%
• 6M: 20.27%
• 1Y: 43.30%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 18.43%
• 10Y*: 21.97%

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

QMAR vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	13.16%	10.89%	16.11%	35.47%	-16.56%	12.31%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.62%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	25.31%

Correlation

The correlation between QMAR and QQQ 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2021	0.94

The correlation between QMAR and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

QMAR vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QMAR	QQQ
Technology	54.2%	53.8%
Communication Services	15.5%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	7.7%
Healthcare	4.2%	4.2%
Industrials	2.8%	2.8%
Utilities	1.4%	1.4%
Basic Materials	1.2%	1.1%
Energy	0.6%	0.6%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

QMAR vs. QQQ — 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: 98

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 77
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. QQQ - 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 Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.95	2.73	+1.22
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	6.18	3.55	+2.64
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.96	1.47	+0.49
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.61	3.71	+3.89
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	54.94	14.30	+40.64
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. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QMAR Sharpe Ratio is 3.95, which is higher than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QMAR and QQQ, 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	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.95	2.73	+1.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89	0.83	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.41	+0.50

Drawdowns

QMAR vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QMAR drawdown since its inception was -19.83%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QMAR and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QMAR	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.83%	-82.97%	+63.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.21%	-11.96%	+8.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.91%	-22.77%	+6.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.83%	-35.12%	+15.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	0.00%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.29%	-32.79%	+29.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.44%	3.11%	-2.67%

Volatility

QMAR vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) is 1.27%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that QMAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QMAR	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.27%	4.48%	-3.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.84%	12.11%	-7.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.09%	15.95%	-9.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.97%	22.39%	-8.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.86%	22.30%	-8.44%

QMAR vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QMAR has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

QMAR vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

QMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QMAR and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, QMAR and QQQ 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 QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to QMAR (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QMAR dropped -19.83% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, QMAR or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 18.43% vs 12.38% for QMAR. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QMAR has been the lower-risk option at 1.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QMAR or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 18.43% return vs 12.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QMAR or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAR.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.00% for QMAR.

What is the main difference between QMAR and QQQ?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QMAR and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.95 vs 2.73), 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.