KBUF vs QQQ
KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, KBUF or QQQ?
Option Writing against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | KBUF | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.97% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.85% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 4 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -17.98% | +21.18%Best |
| 1Y Return | -19.28% | +24.36%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +27.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.39% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.1%Best | 17.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.6%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $11,536 | $17,271Best |
| Fund Family | KraneShares | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 8, 2024 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 8, 2024 to Sep 23, 2026 (2.6 years).
KBUF 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
KBUF vs QQQ Performance
KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF (KBUF) is an ETF from KraneShares and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year KBUF returned -19.28% while QQQ returned +24.36%. Year to date, KBUF is down 17.98% versus a gain of 21.18% 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 17.3% compared with 13.1% for KBUF. 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 -21.6% for KBUF 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 -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KBUF charges 0.97% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $97 vs $18 annually, a gap of $79 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KBUF currently yields 8.85% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in KBUF and 102 in QQQ, totalling 90.4% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in KBUF and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 4 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KBUF 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, KBUF or QQQ?
KBUF has an expense ratio of 0.97% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $79 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KBUF or QQQ?
Over the past year KBUF returned -19.28% vs +24.36% 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, KBUF or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 13.1% for KBUF. Worst drawdown: KBUF -21.6% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both KBUF and QQQ?
KBUF and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, 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, KBUF or QQQ?
KBUF yields 8.85% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so KBUF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than KBUF?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.