USSE vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USSE (Segall Bryant & Hamill Select Equity ETF) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both exchange-traded funds - USSE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Segall Bryant & Hamill, while QMAR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, USSE returned 29.80% vs 23.15% for QMAR. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USSE charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

USSE vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Segall Bryant & Hamill Select Equity ETF (USSE) 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, USSE achieves a 20.42% return, which is significantly higher than QMAR's 13.03% return.

USSE

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 7.64%
• YTD: 20.42%
• 6M: 22.12%
• 1Y: 29.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QMAR

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 2.51%
• YTD: 13.03%
• 6M: 13.97%
• 1Y: 23.15%
• 3Y*: 16.71%
• 5Y*: 12.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

USSE vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
USSE Segall Bryant & Hamill Select Equity ETF	20.42%	2.50%	24.49%	5.01%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	13.03%	10.89%	16.11%	5.21%

Correlation

The correlation between USSE and QMAR is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2023	0.76

The correlation between USSE and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

USSE vs. QMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USSE	QMAR
Technology	36.4%	54.2%
Financial Services	17.0%	0.2%
Industrials	15.6%	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	12.2%
Communication Services	8.9%	15.5%
Energy	7.8%	0.6%
Healthcare	4.1%	4.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.6%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

USSE vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

USSE

USSE Risk / Return Rank: 63
USSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
USSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
USSE Omega Ratio Rank: 59
USSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
USSE Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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: 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.

USSE vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Segall Bryant & Hamill Select Equity ETF (USSE) 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.

	USSE	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	3.82	-1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	6.00	-3.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.92	-0.57
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.29	7.24	-3.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.73	52.23	-40.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USSE vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USSE Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is lower than the QMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USSE 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

	USSE	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	3.82	-1.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.17	0.91	+0.27

Drawdowns

USSE vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USSE drawdown since its inception was -22.36%, which is greater than QMAR's maximum drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USSE and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	USSE	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.36%	-19.83%	-2.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.11%	-3.21%	-5.90%
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	-0.25%	-0.21%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.61%	-3.28%	-0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	0.45%	+2.10%

Volatility

USSE vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

Segall Bryant & Hamill Select Equity ETF (USSE) has a higher volatility of 4.15% compared to FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) at 1.27%. This indicates that USSE'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

	USSE	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.15%	1.27%	+2.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.81%	4.85%	+5.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.60%	6.08%	+8.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.25%	13.96%	+2.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.25%	13.85%	+2.40%

USSE vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

USSE has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than QMAR's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

USSE vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither USSE nor QMAR has 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%
USSE Segall Bryant & Hamill Select Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.11%	0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USSE and QMAR in my portfolio?

USSE and QMAR have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USSE or QMAR?

USSE has higher volatility (4.15%) compared to QMAR (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USSE dropped -22.36% vs QMAR's -19.83%.

Which ETF is better, USSE or QMAR?

On 1-year performance, USSE leads with 29.80% vs 23.15% for QMAR. On fees, USSE is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, QMAR has been the lower-risk option at 1.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USSE or QMAR?

Over the 1-year period, USSE has performed better with a 29.80% return vs 23.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USSE or QMAR?

USSE is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAR.

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

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

What is the main difference between USSE and QMAR?

USSE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while QMAR is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Segall Bryant & Hamill and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for USSE and 0.90% for QMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.82 vs 2.05), 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.