SEPP vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SEPP (PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both exchange-traded funds - SEPP is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM, while QMAR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SEPP returned 17.87% vs 23.38% for QMAR. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SEPP charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

SEPP vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September (SEPP) 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, SEPP achieves a 5.73% return, which is significantly lower than QMAR's 13.06% return.

SEPP

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 5.73%
• 6M: 6.43%
• 1Y: 17.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

SEPP vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SEPP PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September	5.73%	14.06%	6.79%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	13.06%	10.89%	10.22%

Correlation

The correlation between SEPP and QMAR is 0.82, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2024	0.85

The correlation between SEPP and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SEPP vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEPP

SEPP Risk / Return Rank: 84
SEPP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
SEPP Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SEPP Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SEPP Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
SEPP Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

SEPP vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September (SEPP) 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.

	SEPP	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.65	3.86	-1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	6.05	-2.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.93	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.78	7.31	-3.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.63	52.66	-33.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEPP vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEPP 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 SEPP 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

	SEPP	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	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.42	0.91	+0.51

Drawdowns

SEPP vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEPP drawdown since its inception was -11.75%, smaller than the maximum QMAR drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEPP and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEPP	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.75%	-19.83%	+8.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.74%	-3.21%	-1.53%
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	-0.13%	-0.19%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.97%	-3.28%	+2.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	0.45%	+0.46%

Volatility

SEPP vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September (SEPP) and FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) have volatilities of 1.28% and 1.27%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEPP	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.28%	1.27%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.21%	4.85%	+0.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.79%	6.09%	+0.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.32%	13.97%	-4.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.32%	13.85%	-4.53%

SEPP vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEPP has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than QMAR's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEPP vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither SEPP nor QMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEPP and QMAR in my portfolio?

SEPP and QMAR have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEPP or QMAR?

SEPP has higher volatility (1.28%) compared to QMAR (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEPP dropped -11.75% vs QMAR's -19.83%.

Which ETF is better, SEPP or QMAR?

On 1-year performance, QMAR leads with 23.38% vs 17.87% for SEPP. On fees, SEPP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEPP or QMAR?

Over the 1-year period, QMAR has performed better with a 23.38% return vs 17.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEPP or QMAR?

SEPP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAR.

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

SEPP and QMAR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between SEPP and QMAR?

SEPP is categorized as Defined Outcome, while QMAR is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SEPP 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.