QTOP vs. QBUF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QTOP (iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF) and QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QTOP tracks the Nasdaq-100 Top 30 Index while QBUF tracks the Invesco QQQ Trust. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QTOP returned 45.99% vs 11.93% for QBUF. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTOP charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QBUF.

Performance

QTOP vs. QBUF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) 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, QTOP achieves a 22.71% return, which is significantly higher than QBUF's 4.68% return.

QTOP

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 10.74%
• YTD: 22.71%
• 6M: 21.95%
• 1Y: 45.99%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

QTOP vs. QBUF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF	22.71%	22.19%	5.80%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	4.68%	11.08%	3.57%

Correlation

The correlation between QTOP and QBUF is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2024	0.81

The correlation between QTOP and QBUF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTOP vs. QBUF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTOP	QBUF
Technology	57.7%	50.7%
Communication Services	17.7%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	12.5%
Consumer Defensive	8.5%	8.7%
Healthcare	3.3%	5.1%
Basic Materials	1.5%	1.3%
Industrials	0.9%	3.3%
Energy	-	0.7%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.6%

Return for Risk

QTOP vs. QBUF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTOP

QTOP Risk / Return Rank: 74
QTOP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QTOP Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
QTOP Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QTOP Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
QTOP Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

QTOP vs. QBUF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) 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.

	QTOP	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	2.28	+0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.44	3.20	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.48	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.59	5.19	-1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.20	17.79	-4.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTOP vs. QBUF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTOP Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is comparable to the QBUF Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTOP 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

	QTOP	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.66	2.28	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.48	1.36	+0.12

Drawdowns

QTOP vs. QBUF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTOP drawdown since its inception was -23.28%, which is greater than QBUF's maximum drawdown of -8.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTOP and QBUF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTOP	QBUF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.28%	-8.84%	-14.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.88%	-2.31%	-10.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.01%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.82%	-0.82%	-3.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	0.67%	+2.82%

Volatility

QTOP vs. QBUF - Volatility Comparison

iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) has a higher volatility of 5.23% compared to Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) at 0.23%. This indicates that QTOP'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

	QTOP	QBUF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.23%	0.23%	+5.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.43%	3.88%	+9.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.40%	5.25%	+12.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.70%	8.47%	+14.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.70%	8.47%	+14.23%

QTOP vs. QBUF - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTOP has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than QBUF's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTOP vs. QBUF - Dividend Comparison

QTOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, while QBUF has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF	0.32%	0.38%	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTOP and QBUF in my portfolio?

QTOP and QBUF have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTOP or QBUF?

QTOP has higher volatility (5.23%) compared to QBUF (0.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTOP dropped -23.28% vs QBUF's -8.84%.

Which ETF is better, QTOP or QBUF?

On 1-year performance, QTOP leads with 45.99% vs 11.93% for QBUF. On fees, QTOP is cheaper at 0.20% 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, QTOP or QBUF?

Over the 1-year period, QTOP has performed better with a 45.99% return vs 11.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTOP or QBUF?

QTOP is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QBUF.

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

QTOP has the higher dividend yield at 0.32%, compared with 0.00% for QBUF.

What is the main difference between QTOP and QBUF?

QTOP tracks Nasdaq-100 Top 30 Index, while QBUF tracks Invesco QQQ Trust. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QTOP and 0.79% for QBUF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTOP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 2.28), 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.