QQMG vs. QBUF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQMG (Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 ETF) and QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QQMG tracks the Nasdaq-100 ESG Total Return Index while QBUF tracks the Invesco QQQ Trust. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QQMG returned 44.32% vs 11.93% for QBUF. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQMG charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QBUF.

Performance

QQMG vs. QBUF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQMG) and Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQMG achieves a 21.86% return, which is significantly higher than QBUF's 4.68% return.

QQMG

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 11.51%
• YTD: 21.86%
• 6M: 20.50%
• 1Y: 44.32%
• 3Y*: 29.63%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QBUF

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 4.68%
• 6M: 4.57%
• 1Y: 11.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQMG vs. QBUF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQMG Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 ETF	21.86%	22.16%	4.96%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	4.68%	11.08%	5.92%

Correlation

The correlation between QQMG and QBUF is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2024	0.84

The correlation between QQMG and QBUF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQMG vs. QBUF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQMG	QBUF
Technology	62.1%	50.7%
Communication Services	13.0%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	11.5%	12.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.0%	8.7%
Healthcare	3.5%	5.1%
Industrials	2.1%	3.3%
Basic Materials	1.4%	1.3%
Utilities	0.2%	1.6%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%
Energy	-	0.7%

Return for Risk

QQMG vs. QBUF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQMG

QQMG Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QQMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQMG Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QQMG Martin Ratio Rank: 70

QBUF

QBUF Risk / Return Rank: 79
QBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
QBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
QBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
QBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

QQMG vs. QBUF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQMG) and Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF). 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.

	QQMG	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	2.28	+0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	3.20	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.48	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.51	5.19	-1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.08	17.79	-4.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQMG vs. QBUF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQMG Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is comparable to the QBUF Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQMG and QBUF, 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

	QQMG	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.66	2.28	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	1.36	-0.62

Drawdowns

QQMG vs. QBUF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQMG drawdown since its inception was -35.43%, which is greater than QBUF's maximum drawdown of -8.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQMG and QBUF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQMG	QBUF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.43%	-8.84%	-26.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.67%	-2.31%	-10.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-0.01%	-0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.61%	-0.82%	-8.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.40%	0.67%	+2.73%

Volatility

QQMG vs. QBUF - Volatility Comparison

Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQMG) has a higher volatility of 4.76% compared to Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) at 0.23%. This indicates that QQMG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QBUF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQMG	QBUF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.76%	0.23%	+4.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.90%	3.88%	+9.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.77%	5.25%	+11.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.60%	8.47%	+15.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.60%	8.47%	+15.13%

QQMG vs. QBUF - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQMG has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than QBUF's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQMG vs. QBUF - Dividend Comparison

QQMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, while QBUF has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQMG Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 ETF	0.34%	0.41%	0.50%	0.60%	0.82%	0.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQMG and QBUF in my portfolio?

QQMG and QBUF have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQMG or QBUF?

QQMG has higher volatility (4.76%) compared to QBUF (0.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQMG dropped -35.43% vs QBUF's -8.84%.

Which ETF is better, QQMG or QBUF?

On 1-year performance, QQMG leads with 44.32% vs 11.93% for QBUF. On fees, QQMG is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, QBUF has been the lower-risk option at 0.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQMG or QBUF?

Over the 1-year period, QQMG has performed better with a 44.32% return vs 11.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQMG or QBUF?

QQMG is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QBUF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQMG or QBUF?

QQMG has the higher dividend yield at 0.34%, compared with 0.00% for QBUF.

What is the main difference between QQMG and QBUF?

QQMG tracks Nasdaq-100 ESG Total Return Index, while QBUF tracks Invesco QQQ Trust. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QQMG and 0.79% for QBUF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 2.28), 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.