QQQI vs. QCJL

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and QCJL (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QQQI returned 23.23% vs 12.57% for QCJL. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQI charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QCJL.

Performance

QQQI vs. QCJL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) and FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQI achieves a 9.46% return, which is significantly higher than QCJL's 5.15% return.

QQQI

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -1.29%
• YTD: 9.46%
• 6M: 8.08%
• 1Y: 23.23%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QCJL

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 5.15%
• 6M: 4.85%
• 1Y: 12.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQI vs. QCJL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	9.46%	18.62%	9.56%
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	5.15%	13.10%	4.38%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQI and QCJL is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2024	0.92

The correlation between QQQI and QCJL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QQQI vs. QCJL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 54
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 52
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 63

QCJL

QCJL Risk / Return Rank: 82
QCJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QCJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QCJL Omega Ratio Rank: 86
QCJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
QCJL Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

QQQI vs. QCJL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) and FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL). 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.

	QQQI	QCJL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	2.26	-0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	3.28	-1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.45	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	3.15	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.31	16.09	-5.78

QQQI vs. QCJL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQI Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is lower than the QCJL Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQI and QCJL, 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

QQQI vs. QCJL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQI drawdown since its inception was -20.00%, which is greater than QCJL's maximum drawdown of -11.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQI and QCJL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQI	QCJL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.00%	-11.18%	-8.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.61%	-4.00%	-5.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.67%	-0.24%	-3.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.21%	-1.04%	-1.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.26%	0.78%	+1.48%

Volatility

QQQI vs. QCJL - Volatility Comparison

NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) has a higher volatility of 7.62% compared to FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL) at 0.73%. This indicates that QQQI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QCJL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQI	QCJL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.62%	0.73%	+6.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.94%	4.20%	+7.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.78%	5.63%	+9.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	9.34%	+8.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.51%	9.34%	+8.17%

QQQI vs. QCJL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQI has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is lower than QCJL's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQI vs. QCJL - Dividend Comparison

QQQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.03%, while QCJL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	15.03%	13.82%	12.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQI and QCJL in my portfolio?

QQQI and QCJL have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQI or QCJL?

QQQI has higher volatility (7.62%) compared to QCJL (0.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQI dropped -20.00% vs QCJL's -11.18%.

Which ETF is better, QQQI or QCJL?

On 1-year performance, QQQI leads with 23.23% vs 12.57% for QCJL. On fees, QQQI is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, QCJL has been the lower-risk option at 0.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQI or QCJL?

Over the 1-year period, QQQI has performed better with a 23.23% return vs 12.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQI or QCJL?

QQQI is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QCJL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQI or QCJL?

QQQI has the higher dividend yield at 15.03%, compared with 0.00% for QCJL.

What is the main difference between QQQI and QCJL?

They also come from different issuers: Neos and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for QQQI and 0.90% for QCJL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCJL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.58), 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.