BUFE vs QQQ
FT Vest Laddered Emerging Markets Buffer ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, BUFE or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BUFE | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.05% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 10 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +6.17% | +17.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +22.10% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +25.27% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.60% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 7, 2026 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
BUFE vs QQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
BUFE vs QQQ Performance
FT Vest Laddered Emerging Markets Buffer ETF (BUFE) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Year to date, BUFE is up 6.17% versus a gain of 17.21% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFE charges 1.05% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $105 vs $18 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFE currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in BUFE and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.9% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in BUFE and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 10 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFE and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BUFE or QQQ?
BUFE has an expense ratio of 1.05% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFE or QQQ?
BUFE yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than BUFE?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.