BUFZ vs QQQ
FT Vest Laddered Moderate Buffer ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, BUFZ or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 83.2%.
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 | BUFZ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 26 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +7.31% | +17.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.43% | +22.10%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.59% | +25.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.4%Best | 17.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.1%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $14,471 | $21,230Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 83.2% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2023 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 26, 2023 to Sep 17, 2026 (2.9 years).
BUFZ 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
BUFZ vs QQQ Performance
FT Vest Laddered Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFZ) 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 BUFZ returned +10.43% while QQQ returned +22.10%. Year to date, BUFZ is up 7.31% versus a gain of 17.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, BUFZ compounded at +13.59% per year against +25.27% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 5.4% for BUFZ. 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 -10.1% for BUFZ 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFZ charges 0.95% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $18 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFZ currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 12 holdings in BUFZ 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 12 positions we hold weights for in BUFZ and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 26 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for BUFZ (97.5% of the fund), and 12 for BUFZ that do not appear in QQQ (99.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFZ 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, BUFZ or QQQ?
BUFZ has an expense ratio of 0.95% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFZ or QQQ?
Over the past year BUFZ returned +10.43% vs +22.10% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFZ or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 5.4% for BUFZ. Worst drawdown: BUFZ -10.1% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both BUFZ and QQQ?
BUFZ and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFZ or QQQ?
BUFZ yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than BUFZ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 83.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.