QQEW vs. QB

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QQEW (First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund) and QB (ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQEW is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while QB is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Nasdaq-100. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QQEW returned 14.61% vs 18.61% for QB. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.58% expense ratio.

Performance

QQEW vs. QB - 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 ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF (QB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQEW achieves a 9.90% return, which is significantly lower than QB's 12.42% return.

QQEW

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 0.32%
• 6M: 10.69%
• YTD: 9.90%
• 1Y: 14.61%
• 3Y*: 12.62%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: 14.04%

QB

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 2.44%
• 6M: 11.41%
• YTD: 12.42%
• 1Y: 18.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQEW vs. QB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	9.90%	6.13%
QB ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF	12.42%	6.10%

Correlation

The correlation between QQEW and QB is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.71

The correlation between QQEW and QB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQEW vs. QB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQEW	QB
Technology	61.7%	49.9%
Healthcare	13.2%	5.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	12.5%
Communication Services	9.7%	16.4%
Industrials	3.0%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	8.6%
Real Estate	1.6%	0.1%
Basic Materials	-	1.3%
Energy	-	0.6%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Utilities	-	1.6%

Return for Risk

QQEW vs. QB — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQEW

QQEW Risk / Return Rank: 26
QQEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
QQEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
QQEW Omega Ratio Rank: 25
QQEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
QQEW Martin Ratio Rank: 26

QB

QB Risk / Return Rank: 94
QB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
QB Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
QB Omega Ratio Rank: 95
QB Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
QB Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. QB - 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 ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF (QB). 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.

	QQEW	QB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	2.66	-1.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.23	3.87	-2.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.63	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.93	5.38	-4.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.76	25.93	-23.17

QQEW vs. QB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQEW Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is lower than the QB Sharpe Ratio of 2.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQEW and QB, 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

QQEW vs. QB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQEW drawdown since its inception was -58.16%, which is greater than QB's maximum drawdown of -3.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQEW and QB.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQEW	QB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.16%	-3.47%	-54.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.74%	-3.47%	-12.27%
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	-3.51%	-0.22%	-3.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.27%	-0.42%	-7.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.30%	0.72%	+4.58%

Volatility

QQEW vs. QB - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) has a higher volatility of 5.19% compared to ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF (QB) at 2.71%. This indicates that QQEW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQEW	QB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.19%	2.71%	+2.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.45%	5.83%	+9.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.17%	7.03%	+11.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.02%	6.91%	+14.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.89%	6.91%	+13.98%

QQEW vs. QB - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QQEW and QB have an expense ratio of 0.58%.

Dividends

QQEW vs. QB - Dividend Comparison

QQEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.20%, less than QB's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QB ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF	0.77%	0.48%	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	0.20%	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 QB in my portfolio?

QQEW and QB have a correlation of 0.71, 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 QB?

QQEW has higher volatility (5.19%) compared to QB (2.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQEW dropped -58.16% vs QB's -3.47%.

Which ETF is better, QQEW or QB?

On 1-year performance, QB leads with 18.61% vs 14.61% for QQEW. Both ETFs have the same 0.58% expense ratio. On volatility, QB has been the lower-risk option at 2.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQEW or QB?

Over the 1-year period, QB has performed better with a 18.61% return vs 14.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQEW or QB?

QQEW and QB have the same expense ratio: 0.58% per year.

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

QB has the higher dividend yield at 0.77%, compared with 0.20% for QQEW.

What is the main difference between QQEW and QB?

QQEW is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while QB is Defined Outcome. QQEW tracks NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while QB tracks Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and ProShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 0.81), 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.