QMAR vs VOO
FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, QMAR or VOO?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. QMAR led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y 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 | QMAR | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.90% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $591M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 10 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +15.58%Best | +12.37% |
| 1Y Return | +18.75%Best | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.13% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.74% | +13.49%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.8%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.8%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,420 | $18,827Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 19, 2021 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2021 to Sep 18, 2026 (5.5 years).
QMAR vs VOO 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
QMAR vs VOO Performance
FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QMAR returned +18.75% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, QMAR is up 15.58% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, QMAR compounded at +16.13% per year against +21.37% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +11.74% and +13.49% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.41% annualized vs +12.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 11.8% for QMAR. 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 -19.8% for QMAR and -24.5% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QMAR charges 0.90% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $90 vs $3 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QMAR currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QMAR and VOO 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, QMAR or VOO?
QMAR has an expense ratio of 0.90% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QMAR or VOO?
Over the past year QMAR returned +18.75% vs +16.61% for VOO, so QMAR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), QMAR annualized +12.27% vs +14.41% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QMAR or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 11.8% for QMAR. Worst drawdown: QMAR -19.8% vs VOO -24.5%.
Should I hold both QMAR and VOO?
QMAR and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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, QMAR or VOO?
QMAR yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than QMAR?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. QMAR led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.