BUFQ vs QQQ
FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, BUFQ or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | BUFQ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.00% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 10 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +13.10% | +21.18%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.71% | +24.36%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.24% | +27.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.39% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.5%Best | 19.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.7%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 4.3 years | $20,576 | $28,233Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 15, 2022 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 16, 2022 to Sep 23, 2026 (4.3 years).
BUFQ 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 covers the 4.3 years both funds cover.
BUFQ vs QQQ Performance
FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year BUFQ returned +16.71% while QQQ returned +24.36%. Year to date, BUFQ is up 13.10% versus a gain of 21.18% for QQQ.
Over three years, BUFQ compounded at +17.24% per year against +27.99% for QQQ. Across the full 4-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +27.30% annualized vs +18.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 11.5% for BUFQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -15.7% for BUFQ and -22.8% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFQ charges 1.00% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $100 vs $18 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFQ currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in BUFQ and 102 in QQQ, totalling 100.0% 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 BUFQ and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 10 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFQ 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, BUFQ or QQQ?
BUFQ has an expense ratio of 1.00% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFQ or QQQ?
Over the past year BUFQ returned +16.71% vs +24.36% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BUFQ annualized +18.27% vs +27.30% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFQ or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 11.5% for BUFQ. Worst drawdown: BUFQ -15.7% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both BUFQ and QQQ?
BUFQ and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFQ or QQQ?
BUFQ yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than BUFQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.