CPNQ vs QMNV: which one stands where?

As of Oct 1, 2026 QMNV can fall 13.0% before its buffer engages and CPNQ 5.6%, and QMNV resets 10 days sooner. Calamos Nasdaq-100 ® Structured Alt Protection ETF - December and FT Vest Nasdaq-100® Moderate Buffer ETF - November.

CPNQAt its cap
At its capCPNQ: reference +19.9% since period start, fund +5.4%; buffer −0 to floor; cap +6.6%; At its cap.full floor beneathfull floor−0.5% buffer start0% period start+6.6% capTODAY · QQQ +19.9%At its capCPNQ: reference +19.9% since period start, fund +5.4%; buffer −0 to floor; cap +6.6%; At its cap.full floor beneathfull floor−0.5% buffer start0% start+6.6% capTODAY · QQQ +19.9%

CPNQ: reference +19.9% since period start, fund +5.4%; buffer −0 to floor; cap +6.6%; At its cap.

QMNVAt its cap
At its capQMNV: reference +25.4% since period start, fund +14.0%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +16.4%; At its cap.15 pts+16.4%−15.0% floor0% period start+16.4% capTODAY · QQQ +25.4%At its capQMNV: reference +25.4% since period start, fund +14.0%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +16.4%; At its cap.−15.0% floor0% start+16.4% capTODAY · QQQ +25.4%

QMNV: reference +25.4% since period start, fund +14.0%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +16.4%; At its cap.

These are two different products. CPNQ is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. QMNV is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.

Both are already at their cap, so neither gains from more rise in the index before the period ends.

Where each one stands today

QMNV resets first, on Nov 20, 2026, 51 days from now; CPNQ runs to Dec 1, 2026, 61 days. A fall from here reaches CPNQ’s buffer after 5.6% and QMNV’s after 13.0%. Both track QQQ, so what separates them is where each is in its own period.

Every figure is ETFIQ’s own, from the issuer’s published outcome-period terms. A buffer ETF holds FLEX options on its reference index rather than shares, so there is no holdings overlap between two of them to report.

Performance, window by window

Total returnGap to the reference
WindowCPNQQMNVCPNQQMNV
3 months+1.8%+3.2%−0.3 pts+1.1 pts
6 months+5.4%+12.7%−21.5 pts−14.2 pts
1 year+6.7%+15.9%−17.1 pts−7.9 pts

CPNQ and QMNV over each window. Every figure is an ETFIQ calculation with distributions reinvested. Source: ETFIQ. Open the live comparison on ETFIQ →

On the same fields

CPNQ
Calamos Nasdaq-100 ® Structured Alt Protection ETF - December · Absorbs losses from 0.5% to 100.0% on QQQ and caps the gain at 6.6%, over a period ending Dec 1, 2026
QMNV
FT Vest Nasdaq-100® Moderate Buffer ETF - November · Absorbs the first 15% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 16.4%, over a period ending Nov 20, 2026
Issuer Calamos First Trust
Reference index QQQ QQQ
Buffer 0% to 100% 15%
Outcome period Dec 1, 2025 to Dec 1, 2026 Nov 24, 2025 to Nov 20, 2026
Days left 61 51
Starting cap +6.6% +16.4%
Can still gain not published 1.3%
Fall before buffer 5.6% 13.0%
Protection left, index points 99.5% of 99.5% 15.0% of 15.0%
Index return this period +19.9% +25.4%
Fund return this period +5.4% +14.0%
State today At cap At cap
Expense ratio 0.69% 0.90%
Net assets $20m $47m

CPNQ and QMNV on the same fields, as of Oct 1, 2026. Source: ETFIQ.

CPNQ in plain words

QQQ had already risen past this fund's cap of +6.6% for the period on Oct 1, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's price can fall 5.6% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 17.0% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 99.5% of the 99.5% buffer still sits below today's QQQ level. 61 days remained on Oct 1, 2026. On Dec 1, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.

QMNV in plain words

QQQ had already risen past this fund's cap of +16.4% for the period on Oct 1, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 1.3% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 13.0% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 20.2% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 15.0% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's QQQ level. 51 days remained on Oct 1, 2026. On Nov 20, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.

Questions people ask

Which resets first, CPNQ or QMNV?
CPNQ ends its outcome period on Dec 1, 2026 and QMNV on Nov 20, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
Which is cheaper, CPNQ or QMNV?
CPNQ charges 0.69% a year and QMNV charges 0.90%, so CPNQ is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Cite this page

ETFIQ, CPNQ against QMNV, data as of Oct 1, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/cpnq-vs-qmnv

Open data

Free to use with attribution. Every figure is calculated from a named public source; the method is at etfiq.com/methodology.