QQQT vs. PQAP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQQT (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF) and PQAP (PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQT is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance, while PQAP is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QQQT returned 34.63% vs 21.47% for PQAP. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQT charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PQAP.

Performance

QQQT vs. PQAP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQT achieves a 19.45% return, which is significantly higher than PQAP's 12.09% return.

QQQT

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 9.90%
• YTD: 19.45%
• 6M: 17.66%
• 1Y: 34.63%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PQAP

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.44%
• YTD: 12.09%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 21.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQT vs. PQAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QQQT Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF	19.45%	14.53%
PQAP PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April	12.09%	14.48%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQT and PQAP is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.89

The correlation between QQQT and PQAP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QQQT vs. PQAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQT

QQQT Risk / Return Rank: 64
QQQT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QQQT Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QQQT Omega Ratio Rank: 72
QQQT Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
QQQT Martin Ratio Rank: 55

PQAP

PQAP Risk / Return Rank: 98
PQAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PQAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

QQQT vs. PQAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP). 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.

	QQQT	PQAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	4.86	-2.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	8.47	-5.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	2.20	-0.76
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	15.50	-12.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.59	86.25	-76.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQT vs. PQAP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQT Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is lower than the PQAP Sharpe Ratio of 4.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQT and PQAP, 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

	QQQT	PQAP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	4.86	-2.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.99	1.76	-0.77

Drawdowns

QQQT vs. PQAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQT drawdown since its inception was -22.50%, which is greater than PQAP's maximum drawdown of -10.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQT and PQAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQT	PQAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.50%	-10.79%	-11.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.73%	-1.39%	-11.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.12%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.01%	-0.60%	-3.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.62%	0.25%	+3.37%

Volatility

QQQT vs. PQAP - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) has a higher volatility of 4.04% compared to PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP) at 1.02%. This indicates that QQQT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PQAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQT	PQAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.04%	1.02%	+3.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.20%	3.09%	+8.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.61%	4.45%	+10.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.24%	11.03%	+9.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.24%	11.03%	+9.21%

QQQT vs. PQAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQT has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than PQAP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQT vs. PQAP - Dividend Comparison

QQQT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.16%, more than PQAP's 0.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
PQAP PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April	0.02%	0.02%	0.00%
QQQT Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF	19.16%	21.27%	10.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQT and PQAP in my portfolio?

QQQT and PQAP have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQT or PQAP?

QQQT has higher volatility (4.04%) compared to PQAP (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQT dropped -22.50% vs PQAP's -10.79%.

Which ETF is better, QQQT or PQAP?

On 1-year performance, QQQT leads with 34.63% vs 21.47% for PQAP. On fees, PQAP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PQAP has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQT or PQAP?

Over the 1-year period, QQQT has performed better with a 34.63% return vs 21.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQT or PQAP?

PQAP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for QQQT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQT or PQAP?

QQQT has the higher dividend yield at 19.16%, compared with 0.02% for PQAP.

What is the main difference between QQQT and PQAP?

QQQT is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while PQAP is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for QQQT and 0.50% for PQAP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.86 vs 2.38), 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.