QMFE vs QQQ
FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - February vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, QMFE or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | QMFE | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.90% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $47M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 10 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +11.39% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.88% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.1%Best | 20.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.8%Best | -19.9% |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $12,501 | $14,092Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 21, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.6 years).
QMFE 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
QMFE vs QQQ Performance
FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - February (QMFE) 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 QMFE returned +14.88% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, QMFE is up 11.39% versus a gain of 17.95% 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 20.3% compared with 8.1% for QMFE. 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 -11.8% for QMFE and -19.9% 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QMFE charges 0.90% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $90 vs $18 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QMFE currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QMFE 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, QMFE or QQQ?
QMFE has an expense ratio of 0.90% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QMFE or QQQ?
Over the past year QMFE returned +14.88% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), QMFE annualized +14.97% vs +23.91% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QMFE or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 8.1% for QMFE. Worst drawdown: QMFE -11.8% vs QQQ -19.9%.
Should I hold both QMFE and QQQ?
QMFE and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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, QMFE or QQQ?
QMFE yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than QMFE?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.