QQQE vs. QBUF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQQE (Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares) and QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QQQE tracks the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index while QBUF tracks the Invesco QQQ Trust. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QQQE returned 28.68% vs 11.93% for QBUF. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QBUF.

Performance

QQQE vs. QBUF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) 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, QQQE achieves a 19.12% return, which is significantly higher than QBUF's 4.68% return.

QQQE

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 10.46%
• YTD: 19.12%
• 6M: 17.48%
• 1Y: 28.68%
• 3Y*: 18.69%
• 5Y*: 10.30%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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)

QQQE vs. QBUF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	19.12%	14.58%	1.92%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	4.68%	11.08%	5.92%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQE and QBUF is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2024	0.77

The correlation between QQQE and QBUF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQE vs. QBUF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQE	QBUF
Technology	45.1%	50.7%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	12.5%
Industrials	10.1%	3.3%
Communication Services	9.1%	15.8%
Healthcare	8.6%	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	8.7%
Utilities	3.9%	1.6%
Energy	2.0%	0.7%
Financial Services	1.0%	0.2%
Basic Materials	0.9%	1.3%
Real Estate	0.7%	0.1%

Return for Risk

QQQE vs. QBUF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQE

QQQE Risk / Return Rank: 58
QQQE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
QQQE Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
QQQE Omega Ratio Rank: 55
QQQE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQE Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

QQQE vs. QBUF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) 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.

	QQQE	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.28	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	3.20	-0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.48	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	5.19	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.57	17.79	-7.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQE vs. QBUF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQE Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the QBUF Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQE 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

	QQQE	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	2.28	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	1.36	-0.60

Drawdowns

QQQE vs. QBUF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQE drawdown since its inception was -32.14%, which is greater than QBUF's maximum drawdown of -8.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQE and QBUF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQE	QBUF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.14%	-8.84%	-23.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-2.31%	-7.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.38%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.14%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.01%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.17%	-0.82%	-4.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	0.67%	+2.05%

Volatility

QQQE vs. QBUF - Volatility Comparison

Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) has a higher volatility of 3.79% compared to Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) at 0.23%. This indicates that QQQE'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

	QQQE	QBUF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	0.23%	+3.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.64%	3.88%	+6.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.15%	5.25%	+8.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.30%	8.47%	+11.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.72%	8.47%	+12.25%

QQQE vs. QBUF - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than QBUF's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQE vs. QBUF - Dividend Comparison

QQQE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, while QBUF has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	0.52%	0.52%	0.86%	0.79%	0.98%	3.83%	0.54%	0.74%	0.80%	0.65%	1.17%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQE and QBUF in my portfolio?

QQQE and QBUF have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQE or QBUF?

QQQE has higher volatility (3.79%) compared to QBUF (0.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQE dropped -32.14% vs QBUF's -8.84%.

Which ETF is better, QQQE or QBUF?

On 1-year performance, QQQE leads with 28.68% vs 11.93% for QBUF. On fees, QQQE is cheaper at 0.35% 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, QQQE or QBUF?

Over the 1-year period, QQQE has performed better with a 28.68% return vs 11.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQE or QBUF?

QQQE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QBUF.

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

QQQE has the higher dividend yield at 0.52%, compared with 0.00% for QBUF.

What is the main difference between QQQE and QBUF?

QQQE tracks NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while QBUF tracks Invesco QQQ Trust. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for QQQE and 0.79% for QBUF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QBUF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.04), 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.