APXM vs. PIT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

APXM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April) and PIT (VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - APXM is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while PIT is a Commodities fund actively managed by VanEck. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, APXM returned 4.86% vs 39.64% for PIT. At a correlation of -0.13, they often move in opposite directions. APXM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for PIT.

Performance

APXM vs. PIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April (APXM) and VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APXM achieves a 1.82% return, which is significantly lower than PIT's 25.62% return.

APXM

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 1.82%
• 6M: 1.92%
• 1Y: 4.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PIT

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: -11.78%
• YTD: 25.62%
• 6M: 23.58%
• 1Y: 39.64%
• 3Y*: 18.98%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

APXM vs. PIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
APXM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April	1.82%	5.24%
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF	25.62%	17.43%

Correlation

The correlation between APXM and PIT is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2025	-0.13

Return for Risk

APXM vs. PIT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

APXM

APXM Risk / Return Rank: 97
APXM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
APXM Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
APXM Omega Ratio Rank: 98
APXM Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
APXM Martin Ratio Rank: 98

PIT

PIT Risk / Return Rank: 57
PIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
PIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PIT Omega Ratio Rank: 56
PIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
PIT Martin Ratio Rank: 63

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

APXM vs. PIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April (APXM) and VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	APXM	PIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.00	1.85	+2.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.46	2.40	+4.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.10	1.33	+0.77
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.15	2.62	+5.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	55.77	10.88	+44.89

APXM vs. PIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APXM Sharpe Ratio is 4.00, which is higher than the PIT Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APXM and PIT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

APXM vs. PIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APXM drawdown since its inception was -0.60%, smaller than the maximum PIT drawdown of -15.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APXM and PIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	APXM	PIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.60%	-15.19%	+14.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.60%	-15.19%	+14.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.19%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.36%	-15.19%	+14.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.04%	-4.08%	+4.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.09%	3.66%	-3.57%

Volatility

APXM vs. PIT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April (APXM) is 0.76%, while VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT) has a volatility of 4.72%. This indicates that APXM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APXM	PIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.76%	4.72%	-3.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.06%	19.40%	-18.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.22%	21.66%	-20.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.36%	17.50%	-16.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.36%	17.50%	-16.14%

APXM vs. PIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

APXM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PIT's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

APXM vs. PIT - Dividend Comparison

APXM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.10%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
APXM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF	7.10%	8.92%	3.59%	6.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APXM and PIT in my portfolio?

APXM and PIT have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, APXM or PIT?

PIT has higher volatility (4.72%) compared to APXM (0.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APXM dropped -0.60% vs PIT's -15.19%.

Which ETF is better, APXM or PIT?

On 1-year performance, PIT leads with 39.64% vs 4.86% for APXM. On fees, PIT is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, APXM has been the lower-risk option at 0.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, APXM or PIT?

Over the 1-year period, PIT has performed better with a 39.64% return vs 4.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, APXM or PIT?

PIT is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for APXM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, APXM or PIT?

PIT has the higher dividend yield at 7.10%, compared with 0.00% for APXM.

What is the main difference between APXM and PIT?

APXM is categorized as Defined Outcome, while PIT is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for APXM and 0.55% for PIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APXM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.00 vs 1.85), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.