VUSE vs. JEPQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VUSE (Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF) and JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUSE is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Vident U.S. Quality Index, while JEPQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VUSE returned 17.51%/yr vs 20.92%/yr for JEPQ. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VUSE charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for JEPQ.

Performance

VUSE vs. JEPQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VUSE having a 9.45% return and JEPQ slightly higher at 9.54%.

VUSE

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 5.30%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 6M: 9.20%
• 1Y: 18.48%
• 3Y*: 17.51%
• 5Y*: 10.93%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

JEPQ

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 4.31%
• YTD: 9.54%
• 6M: 9.75%
• 1Y: 29.00%
• 3Y*: 20.92%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VUSE vs. JEPQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VUSE Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	9.45%	13.18%	15.77%	24.36%	-6.30%
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	9.54%	15.18%	24.85%	36.28%	-12.89%

Correlation

The correlation between VUSE and JEPQ 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2022	0.82

The correlation between VUSE and JEPQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

VUSE vs. JEPQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUSE	JEPQ
Technology	33.1%	54.0%
Financial Services	14.1%	0.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	12.8%
Healthcare	9.5%	4.4%
Communication Services	9.4%	15.4%
Industrials	8.6%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	7.3%	7.1%
Basic Materials	2.7%	1.0%
Energy	2.6%	0.4%
Utilities	1.3%	1.3%
Real Estate	1.0%	0.2%

Return for Risk

VUSE vs. JEPQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUSE

VUSE Risk / Return Rank: 42
VUSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VUSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VUSE Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VUSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VUSE Martin Ratio Rank: 45

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 74
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 80
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

VUSE vs. JEPQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). 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.

	VUSE	JEPQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	2.49	-1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	3.29	-1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.49	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	3.31	-1.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.45	16.22	-8.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VUSE vs. JEPQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUSE Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is lower than the JEPQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUSE and JEPQ, 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

	VUSE	JEPQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47	2.49	-1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	1.00	-0.47

Drawdowns

VUSE vs. JEPQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUSE drawdown since its inception was -43.92%, which is greater than JEPQ's maximum drawdown of -20.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSE and JEPQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUSE	JEPQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.92%	-20.07%	-23.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-8.82%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.93%	-20.07%	+1.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.34%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.86%	-0.10%	-0.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.62%	-3.42%	-2.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	1.79%	+0.69%

Volatility

VUSE vs. JEPQ - Volatility Comparison

Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) has a higher volatility of 2.99% compared to JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) at 1.26%. This indicates that VUSE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JEPQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUSE	JEPQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	1.26%	+1.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.49%	9.07%	+0.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	11.73%	+0.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.46%	16.61%	+0.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.21%	16.61%	+3.60%

VUSE vs. JEPQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUSE has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than JEPQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUSE vs. JEPQ - Dividend Comparison

VUSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than JEPQ's 10.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.07%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUSE Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	0.44%	0.47%	0.84%	1.15%	1.57%	1.16%	1.33%	1.61%	1.55%	1.16%	1.25%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUSE and JEPQ in my portfolio?

VUSE and JEPQ 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, VUSE or JEPQ?

VUSE has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to JEPQ (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUSE dropped -43.92% vs JEPQ's -20.07%.

Which ETF is better, VUSE or JEPQ?

On 3-year performance, JEPQ leads with 20.92% vs 17.51% for VUSE. On fees, JEPQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, JEPQ has been the lower-risk option at 1.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VUSE or JEPQ?

Over the 3-year period, JEPQ has performed better with a 20.92% return vs 17.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUSE or JEPQ?

JEPQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for VUSE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VUSE or JEPQ?

JEPQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.07%, compared with 0.44% for VUSE.

What is the main difference between VUSE and JEPQ?

VUSE is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while JEPQ is Nasdaq-100. VUSE tracks Vident U.S. Quality Index, while JEPQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vident and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for VUSE and 0.35% for JEPQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JEPQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.47), 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.