QQQM vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQQM (Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QQQM is passively managed, while QMAR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, QQQM returned 18.07%/yr vs 12.13%/yr for QMAR. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQM charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

QQQM vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) and FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQM achieves a 21.39% return, which is significantly higher than QMAR's 13.06% return.

QQQM

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 10.67%
• YTD: 21.39%
• 6M: 19.75%
• 1Y: 41.98%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 18.07%
• 10Y*: —

QMAR

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 2.81%
• YTD: 13.06%
• 6M: 14.01%
• 1Y: 23.38%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 12.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQM vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	21.39%	20.85%	25.68%	55.01%	-32.52%	25.28%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	13.06%	10.89%	16.11%	35.47%	-16.56%	12.31%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQM and QMAR is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2021	0.94

The correlation between QQQM and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQM vs. QMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQM	QMAR
Technology	53.8%	54.2%
Communication Services	15.8%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	12.2%
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	7.6%
Healthcare	4.2%	4.2%
Industrials	2.8%	2.8%
Utilities	1.4%	1.4%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.2%
Energy	0.6%	0.6%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

QQQM vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQM

QQQM Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QQQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQM Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QQQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQM Martin Ratio Rank: 71

QMAR

QMAR Risk / Return Rank: 96
QMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
QMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
QMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
QMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
QMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

QQQM vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) and FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR). 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.

	QQQM	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.65	3.86	-1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	6.05	-2.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.93	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	7.31	-3.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.52	52.66	-39.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQM vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQM Sharpe Ratio is 2.65, which is lower than the QMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQM and QMAR, 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

	QQQM	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.65	3.86	-1.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.87	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.91	-0.06

Drawdowns

QQQM vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQM drawdown since its inception was -35.04%, which is greater than QMAR's maximum drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQM and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQM	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.04%	-19.83%	-15.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-3.21%	-8.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.70%	-15.91%	-6.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.04%	-19.83%	-15.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.19%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.25%	-3.28%	-4.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	0.45%	+2.66%

Volatility

QQQM vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) has a higher volatility of 4.48% compared to FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) at 1.27%. This indicates that QQQM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQM	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.48%	1.27%	+3.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.05%	4.85%	+7.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.91%	6.09%	+9.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.24%	13.97%	+8.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.12%	13.85%	+8.27%

QQQM vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQM has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than QMAR's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQM vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

QQQM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.41%, while QMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	0.41%	0.50%	0.61%	0.65%	0.83%	0.40%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQM and QMAR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, QQQM and QMAR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QQQM or QMAR?

QQQM has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to QMAR (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQM dropped -35.04% vs QMAR's -19.83%.

Which ETF is better, QQQM or QMAR?

On 5-year performance, QQQM leads with 18.07% vs 12.13% for QMAR. On fees, QQQM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QMAR has been the lower-risk option at 1.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQM or QMAR?

Over the 5-year period, QQQM has performed better with a 18.07% return vs 12.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQM or QMAR?

QQQM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQM or QMAR?

QQQM has the higher dividend yield at 0.41%, compared with 0.00% for QMAR.

What is the main difference between QQQM and QMAR?

They also come from different issuers: Invesco and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QQQM and 0.90% for QMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.86 vs 2.65), 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.