FAPR vs. GOCT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FAPR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April) and GOCT (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - October) are both exchange-traded funds - FAPR is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while GOCT is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest. FAPR is passively managed, while GOCT is actively managed. Over the past year, FAPR returned 11.10% vs 14.86% for GOCT. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

FAPR vs. GOCT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April (FAPR) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - October (GOCT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAPR achieves a 4.22% return, which is significantly lower than GOCT's 5.00% return.

FAPR

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: -0.33%
• YTD: 4.22%
• 6M: 4.27%
• 1Y: 11.10%
• 3Y*: 12.75%
• 5Y*: 8.58%
• 10Y*: —

GOCT

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: 5.00%
• 6M: 4.60%
• 1Y: 14.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FAPR vs. GOCT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FAPR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April	4.22%	7.58%	18.14%	9.43%
GOCT FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - October	5.00%	12.29%	8.16%	6.96%

Correlation

The correlation between FAPR and GOCT is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 23, 2023	0.83

The correlation between FAPR and GOCT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FAPR vs. GOCT — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAPR

FAPR Risk / Return Rank: 91
FAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 96

GOCT

GOCT Risk / Return Rank: 83
GOCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
GOCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
GOCT Omega Ratio Rank: 87
GOCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
GOCT Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

FAPR vs. GOCT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April (FAPR) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - October (GOCT). 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.

	FAPR	GOCT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	2.46	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	3.61	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.49	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.04	3.39	+1.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	32.27	16.78	+15.49

FAPR vs. GOCT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAPR Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is comparable to the GOCT Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAPR and GOCT, 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

FAPR vs. GOCT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAPR drawdown since its inception was -15.96%, which is greater than GOCT's maximum drawdown of -10.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAPR and GOCT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAPR	GOCT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.96%	-10.47%	-5.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.21%	-4.40%	+2.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.64%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.15%	-0.62%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.69%	-0.70%	-1.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	0.89%	-0.55%

Volatility

FAPR vs. GOCT - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April (FAPR) has a higher volatility of 2.54% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - October (GOCT) at 1.60%. This indicates that FAPR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GOCT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAPR	GOCT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.54%	1.60%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.71%	4.85%	-1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.37%	6.09%	-1.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.53%	7.44%	+3.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.43%	7.44%	+2.99%

FAPR vs. GOCT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FAPR and GOCT have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

FAPR vs. GOCT - Dividend Comparison

Neither FAPR nor GOCT has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAPR and GOCT in my portfolio?

FAPR and GOCT have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAPR or GOCT?

FAPR has higher volatility (2.54%) compared to GOCT (1.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAPR dropped -15.96% vs GOCT's -10.47%.

Which ETF is better, FAPR or GOCT?

On 1-year performance, GOCT leads with 14.86% vs 11.10% for FAPR. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, GOCT has been the lower-risk option at 1.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FAPR or GOCT?

Over the 1-year period, GOCT has performed better with a 14.86% return vs 11.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAPR or GOCT?

FAPR and GOCT have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FAPR or GOCT?

FAPR and GOCT have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FAPR and GOCT?

FAPR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while GOCT is Options Trading.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.46), 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.