QCJA ETF — FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - January

FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - January (QCJA)

Updated October 16, 2026.

QCJA is an ETF. its expense ratio is 0.90%. Total return is 19.7% over the past 1.7 years, 9.4 points behind SPY at 29.1%.

First Trust's FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - January uses flexible exchange options referencing the Invesco QQQ Trust to provide exposure to the Nasdaq-100 with built-in downside protection, though it is a non-diversified fund. The ETF does not distribute income, with an expense ratio of 0.90%. It appeals to investors seeking equity exposure with a cushion against market declines rather than those seeking regular dividend or interest income.

QCJA performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 19.7% over the past 1.7 years, 9.4 points behind SPY at 29.1%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 11.5%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 5.0%.

QCJA key facts

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

01/16/2025

Expense ratio

0.90%

Distribution frequency

None

Last close

$23.85 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$74,559,180

Average volume

930.0

Beta

0.4334

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (the posted rate) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: First Trust or company page; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

QCJA risks and drawbacks

Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 5.0%.

Who may consider QCJA — and who may not

It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (QCJA does not currently distribute); investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on QCJA

• All tickers starting with Q

Tagged: Downside Protection, Options, Target, Nasdaq100.

Frequently asked questions

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