FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF… (QCJL) Performance
QCJL total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +8.0% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +9.6% total return
- Since first price
- +27.2% since 2024
QCJL trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | QCJL total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −1.5% | −1.5% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +2.2% | +2.2% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +4.8% | +4.8% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +8.0% | +8.0% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +9.6% | +9.6% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionJul 22, 2024 | +27.2% | +27.2% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: QCJL vs SPY
From Jul 22, 2024: QCJL grew to $12,721, SPY to $14,061.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
QCJL returns by calendar year
1 of 1 full years positive. Best 2025 (+13.1%), worst 2025 (+13.1%). 2026 is year to date.
QCJL annual returns table
| Year | QCJL | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +8.0% | −4.0% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +13.1% | −11.2% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
QCJL largest drawdowns
Now 2.8% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 19, 2025 | −11.2% | Apr 8, 2025 | May 27, 2025 | 48 days | 3 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
QCJL risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2024 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +13.1% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.3% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.35 |
| Sortino ratio | 2.79 |
| Best month | +5.2% |
| Worst month | −3.5% |
| Best 12 months | +19.9% |
| Worst 12 months | +10.9% |
| Positive months | 81% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
QCJL rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 16 | +8.8% | +12.9% | +19.9% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2024. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
QCJL performance overview
FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF… (QCJL) returned +9.6% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Jul 22, 2024 it has returned +27.2%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −11.2%, from Feb 19, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025, and it took 49 days to get back to the old high. Volatility has been 6.3% a year.
Related: QCJL chart. See the QCJL overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
QCJL performance FAQ
What is the QCJL return over the past year?
QCJL returned +9.6% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 9.6%.
How much would $10,000 invested in QCJL be worth?
$10,000 invested in QCJL at its first recorded close on July 22, 2024 would be worth about $12,721 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What is the biggest drawdown of QCJL?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −11.2% between February 19, 2025 and April 8, 2025. It recovered to the old high on May 27, 2025, 49 days after the bottom.
How volatile is QCJL?
Over the past history QCJL had an annualized volatility of 6.3% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.35 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).