QQEW vs. PQAP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQEW (First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund) and PQAP (PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April) are both exchange-traded funds - QQEW is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while PQAP is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. QQEW is passively managed, while PQAP is actively managed. Over the past year, QQEW returned 20.94% vs 21.47% for PQAP. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQEW charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PQAP.

Performance

QQEW vs. PQAP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with QQEW having a 12.15% return and PQAP slightly lower at 12.09%.

QQEW

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: 14.51%
• YTD: 12.15%
• 6M: 10.58%
• 1Y: 20.94%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 8.78%
• 10Y*: 14.57%

PQAP

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.44%
• YTD: 12.09%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 21.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQEW vs. PQAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	12.15%	14.22%
PQAP PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April	12.09%	14.48%

Correlation

The correlation between QQEW and PQAP is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.81

The correlation between QQEW and PQAP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QQEW vs. PQAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQEW

QQEW Risk / Return Rank: 31
QQEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
QQEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
QQEW Omega Ratio Rank: 32
QQEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
QQEW Martin Ratio Rank: 28

PQAP

PQAP Risk / Return Rank: 98
PQAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PQAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

QQEW vs. PQAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP). 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.

	QQEW	PQAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	4.86	-3.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	8.47	-6.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	2.20	-0.98
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.34	15.50	-14.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.09	86.25	-82.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQEW vs. PQAP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQEW Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is lower than the PQAP Sharpe Ratio of 4.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQEW and PQAP, 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

	QQEW	PQAP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	4.86	-3.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	1.76	-1.23

Drawdowns

QQEW vs. PQAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQEW drawdown since its inception was -58.16%, which is greater than PQAP's maximum drawdown of -10.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQEW and PQAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQEW	PQAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.16%	-10.79%	-47.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.74%	-1.39%	-14.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.43%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.12%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.12%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-0.12%	-1.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.30%	-0.60%	-7.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.13%	0.25%	+4.88%

Volatility

QQEW vs. PQAP - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) has a higher volatility of 5.54% compared to PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP) at 1.02%. This indicates that QQEW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PQAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQEW	PQAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.54%	1.02%	+4.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.85%	3.09%	+10.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.81%	4.45%	+12.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.76%	11.03%	+9.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.87%	11.03%	+9.84%

QQEW vs. PQAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQEW has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than PQAP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQEW vs. PQAP - Dividend Comparison

QQEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, more than PQAP's 0.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PQAP PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April	0.02%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	0.28%	0.41%	0.57%	0.70%	0.66%	0.24%	0.34%	0.48%	0.56%	0.48%	0.73%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQEW and PQAP in my portfolio?

QQEW and PQAP have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQEW or PQAP?

QQEW has higher volatility (5.54%) compared to PQAP (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQEW dropped -58.16% vs PQAP's -10.79%.

Which ETF is better, QQEW or PQAP?

On 1-year performance, PQAP leads with 21.47% vs 20.94% for QQEW. On fees, PQAP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PQAP has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQEW or PQAP?

Over the 1-year period, PQAP has performed better with a 21.47% return vs 20.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQEW or PQAP?

PQAP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for QQEW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQEW or PQAP?

QQEW has the higher dividend yield at 0.28%, compared with 0.02% for PQAP.

What is the main difference between QQEW and PQAP?

QQEW is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while PQAP is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for QQEW and 0.50% for PQAP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.86 vs 1.25), 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.