QQQ vs. QB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and QB (ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while QB is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Nasdaq-100. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for QB.

Performance

QQQ vs. QB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) 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, QQQ achieves a 21.30% return, which is significantly higher than QB's 10.47% return.

QQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 10.60%
• YTD: 21.30%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 17.97%
• 10Y*: 21.94%

QB

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 2.95%
• YTD: 10.47%
• 6M: 9.91%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQ vs. QB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	12.74%
QB ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF	10.47%	5.77%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and QB is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2025	0.82

QQQ vs. QB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQ	QB
Technology	53.8%	49.9%
Communication Services	15.8%	16.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	12.5%
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	8.6%
Healthcare	4.2%	5.3%
Industrials	2.8%	3.7%
Utilities	1.4%	1.6%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.3%
Energy	0.6%	0.6%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. QB — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

QQQ vs. QB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) 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.

	QQQ	QB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.51	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.49	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QQQ	QB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.64	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	3.17	-2.76

Drawdowns

QQQ vs. QB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than QB's maximum drawdown of -1.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and QB.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQ	QB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.97%	-1.83%	-81.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.77%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.12%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.12%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.30%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.79%	-0.34%	-32.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QQQ	QB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.10%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.94%	5.75%	+10.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.38%	5.75%	+16.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.29%	5.75%	+16.54%

QQQ vs. QB - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than QB's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQ vs. QB - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than QB's 0.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QB ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF	0.62%	0.48%	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 QQQ and QB in my portfolio?

QQQ and QB have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QQQ or QB?

On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQ or QB?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for QB.

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

QB has the higher dividend yield at 0.62%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between QQQ and QB?

QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while QB is Defined Outcome. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while QB tracks Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.58% for QB.