PBQQ vs QCOC
PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF vs FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October
Which is better, PBQQ or QCOC?
Nearly the same fund. PBQQ costs less.
PBQQ has a lower expense ratio. PBQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | PBQQ | QCOC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50%Best | 0.90% |
| AUM | $98M | $63M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 12 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +12.12%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +15.38%Best | +11.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.6% | 6.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.9% | -10.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $12,969Best | $12,233 |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Dec 27, 2024 | Oct 18, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 2, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
PBQQ vs QCOC 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
PBQQ vs QCOC Performance
PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - October (QCOC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year PBQQ returned +15.38% while QCOC returned +11.60%. Year to date, PBQQ is up 12.12% versus a gain of 10.00% for QCOC.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PBQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 8.6% compared with 6.9% for QCOC. 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 -12.9% for PBQQ and -10.4% for QCOC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PBQQ charges 0.50% per year while QCOC charges 0.90%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $90 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PBQQ currently yields 0.01% against 0.00% for QCOC.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PBQQ and QCOC 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, PBQQ or QCOC?
PBQQ has an expense ratio of 0.50% while QCOC charges 0.90%. PBQQ is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PBQQ or QCOC?
Over the past year PBQQ returned +15.38% vs +11.60% for QCOC, so PBQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PBQQ annualized +15.54% vs +11.85% for QCOC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PBQQ or QCOC?
PBQQ has been the more volatile fund at 8.6% annualized versus 6.9% for QCOC. Worst drawdown: PBQQ -12.9% vs QCOC -10.4%.
Should I hold both PBQQ and QCOC?
PBQQ and QCOC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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, PBQQ or QCOC?
PBQQ yields 0.01% while QCOC yields 0.00%, so PBQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QCOC better than PBQQ?
PBQQ has a lower expense ratio. PBQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.