CPNQ vs QQBF: which one stands where?

As of Oct 1, 2026 CPNQ can fall 5.6% before its buffer engages and QQBF 0.9%, and CPNQ resets 18 days sooner. Calamos Nasdaq-100 ® Structured Alt Protection ETF - December and FT Vest Nasdaq-100® Quarterly 15 Buffer ETF.

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.

QQBFBetween buffer and cap
Between buffer and capQQBF: reference +2.5% since period start, fund +0.7%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +3.3%; Between buffer and cap.15 pts−15.0% floor0% period start+3.3% capTODAY · QQQ +2.5%Between buffer and capQQBF: reference +2.5% since period start, fund +0.7%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +3.3%; Between buffer and cap.−15.0% floor0% start+3.3% capTODAY · QQQ +2.5%

QQBF: reference +2.5% since period start, fund +0.7%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +3.3%; Between buffer and cap.

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

CPNQ is already at its cap, so more rise in the index adds nothing to it before the period ends.

Where each one stands today

CPNQ resets first, on Dec 1, 2026, 61 days from now; QQBF runs to Dec 18, 2026, 79 days. A fall from here reaches CPNQ’s buffer after 5.6% and QQBF’s after 0.9%. 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
WindowCPNQQQBFCPNQQQBF
3 months+1.8%not published−0.3 ptsnot published
6 months+5.4%not published−21.5 ptsnot published
1 year+6.7%not published−17.1 ptsnot published

CPNQ and QQBF 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
QQBF
FT Vest Nasdaq-100® Quarterly 15 Buffer ETF · Absorbs the first 15% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 3.3%, over a period ending Dec 18, 2026
Issuer Calamos First Trust
Reference index QQQ QQQ
Buffer 0% to 100% 15%
Outcome period Dec 1, 2025 to Dec 1, 2026 Sep 21, 2026 to Dec 18, 2026
Days left 61 79
Starting cap +6.6% +3.3%
Can still gain not published 2.3%
Fall before buffer 5.6% 0.9%
Protection left, index points 99.5% of 99.5% 15.0% of 15.0%
Index return this period +19.9% +2.5%
Fund return this period +5.4% +0.7%
State today At cap Open
Expense ratio 0.69% 0.90%
Net assets $20m $1m

CPNQ and QQBF 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.

QQBF in plain words

From its price on Oct 1, 2026, the fund can gain about 2.3% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 0.9% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 2.5% 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. 79 days remained on Oct 1, 2026. On Dec 18, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.

Questions people ask

Which resets first, CPNQ or QQBF?
CPNQ ends its outcome period on Dec 1, 2026 and QQBF on Dec 18, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
Which is cheaper, CPNQ or QQBF?
CPNQ charges 0.69% a year and QQBF charges 0.90%, so CPNQ is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
Where these figures came from

ETFIQ links to the documents behind every figure. It is not affiliated with any issuer, and a link is not an endorsement. A comparison is not a recommendation.

Cite this page

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

Open data

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