QTR vs. QBUF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QTR (Global X NASDAQ 100 Tail Risk ETF) and QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QTR tracks the NASDAQ-100 Quarterly Protective Put 90 Index while QBUF tracks the Invesco QQQ Trust. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QTR returned 28.74% vs 11.57% for QBUF. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTR charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QBUF.

Performance

QTR vs. QBUF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X NASDAQ 100 Tail Risk ETF (QTR) 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, QTR achieves a 14.00% return, which is significantly higher than QBUF's 4.88% return.

QTR

• 1D: -2.27%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 14.00%
• 6M: 12.63%
• 1Y: 28.74%
• 3Y*: 20.74%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QBUF

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 4.88%
• 6M: 4.08%
• 1Y: 11.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QTR vs. QBUF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QTR Global X NASDAQ 100 Tail Risk ETF	14.00%	14.52%	5.23%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	4.88%	11.08%	5.90%

Correlation

The correlation between QTR and QBUF is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2024	0.81

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

QTR vs. QBUF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTR	QBUF
Technology	59.2%	50.7%
Communication Services	13.2%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	12.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.8%	8.7%
Healthcare	3.7%	5.1%
Industrials	3.3%	3.3%
Utilities	1.1%	1.6%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.3%
Energy	0.5%	0.7%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

QTR vs. QBUF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTR

QTR Risk / Return Rank: 53
QTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
QTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QTR Omega Ratio Rank: 55
QTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
QTR Martin Ratio Rank: 49

QBUF

QBUF Risk / Return Rank: 83
QBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
QBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 85
QBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
QBUF 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.

QTR vs. QBUF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X NASDAQ 100 Tail Risk ETF (QTR) 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.

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.

	QTR	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.21	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	3.12	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.47	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.35	5.03	-2.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.86	17.26	-9.39

QTR vs. QBUF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTR Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the QBUF Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTR 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.

Drawdowns

QTR vs. QBUF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTR drawdown since its inception was -31.72%, which is greater than QBUF's maximum drawdown of -8.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTR and QBUF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTR	QBUF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.72%	-8.84%	-22.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.29%	-2.31%	-9.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.33%	0.00%	-3.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.77%	-0.80%	-7.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.66%	0.67%	+2.99%

Volatility

QTR vs. QBUF - Volatility Comparison

Global X NASDAQ 100 Tail Risk ETF (QTR) has a higher volatility of 8.36% compared to Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) at 0.41%. This indicates that QTR'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

	QTR	QBUF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.36%	0.41%	+7.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.86%	3.68%	+9.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.96%	5.25%	+10.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.35%	8.35%	+10.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.35%	8.35%	+10.00%

QTR vs. QBUF - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTR has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than QBUF's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTR vs. QBUF - Dividend Comparison

QTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.47%, while QBUF has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QTR Global X NASDAQ 100 Tail Risk ETF	16.47%	18.77%	0.50%	0.53%	0.36%	1.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTR and QBUF in my portfolio?

QTR and QBUF have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTR or QBUF?

QTR has higher volatility (8.36%) compared to QBUF (0.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTR dropped -31.72% vs QBUF's -8.84%.

Which ETF is better, QTR or QBUF?

On 1-year performance, QTR leads with 28.74% vs 11.57% for QBUF. On fees, QTR is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, QBUF has been the lower-risk option at 0.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTR or QBUF?

Over the 1-year period, QTR has performed better with a 28.74% return vs 11.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTR or QBUF?

QTR is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QBUF.

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

QTR has the higher dividend yield at 16.47%, compared with 0.00% for QBUF.

What is the main difference between QTR and QBUF?

QTR tracks NASDAQ-100 Quarterly Protective Put 90 Index, while QBUF tracks Invesco QQQ Trust. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QTR and 0.79% for QBUF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QBUF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 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.