QQQY vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QQQY returned 28.38% vs 19.88% for QMAR. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

QQQY vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) 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, QQQY achieves a 15.16% return, which is significantly higher than QMAR's 11.74% return.

QQQY

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -1.73%
• YTD: 15.16%
• 6M: 13.85%
• 1Y: 28.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QMAR

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: -0.86%
• YTD: 11.74%
• 6M: 11.57%
• 1Y: 19.88%
• 3Y*: 15.97%
• 5Y*: 11.38%
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQY vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	15.16%	14.96%	7.70%	7.19%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	11.74%	10.89%	16.11%	5.04%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQY and QMAR is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2023	0.85

The correlation between QQQY and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QQQY vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 62
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 66
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 65

QMAR

QMAR Risk / Return Rank: 95
QMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
QMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
QMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 96
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.

QQQY vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) 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.

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.

	QQQY	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	3.07	-1.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	4.58	-2.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.71	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	6.21	-3.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.30	36.83	-26.52

QQQY vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQY Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is lower than the QMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQY 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.

Drawdowns

QQQY vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQY drawdown since its inception was -19.05%, roughly equal to the maximum QMAR drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQY and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQY	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-19.83%	+0.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	-3.21%	-7.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.91%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.63%	-1.35%	-2.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-3.26%	+0.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	0.54%	+2.22%

Volatility

QQQY vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) has a higher volatility of 8.38% compared to FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) at 2.92%. This indicates that QQQY'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

	QQQY	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.38%	2.92%	+5.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.62%	5.60%	+8.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.78%	6.51%	+9.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.38%	14.01%	+1.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.38%	13.82%	+1.56%

QQQY vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than QMAR's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQY vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

QQQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 36.24%, while QMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	36.24%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQY and QMAR in my portfolio?

QQQY and QMAR have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQY or QMAR?

QQQY has higher volatility (8.38%) compared to QMAR (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQY dropped -19.05% vs QMAR's -19.83%.

Which ETF is better, QQQY or QMAR?

On 1-year performance, QQQY leads with 28.38% vs 19.88% for QMAR. On fees, QMAR is cheaper at 0.90% per year. On volatility, QMAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQY or QMAR?

Over the 1-year period, QQQY has performed better with a 28.38% return vs 19.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQY or QMAR?

QMAR is cheaper with a 0.90% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for QQQY.

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

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 36.24%, compared with 0.00% for QMAR.

What is the main difference between QQQY and QMAR?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for QQQY and 0.90% for QMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 1.81), 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.