FCTE vs. FMAY

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

FCTE (SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF) and FMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. FCTE is actively managed, while FMAY is passively managed. Over the past year, FCTE returned 2.91% vs 14.22% for FMAY. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

FCTE vs. FMAY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF (FCTE) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May (FMAY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCTE achieves a 8.91% return, which is significantly higher than FMAY's 3.87% return.

FCTE

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: -0.24%
• YTD: 8.91%
• 6M: 7.45%
• 1Y: 2.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FMAY

• 1D: -1.68%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 3.87%
• 6M: 4.65%
• 1Y: 14.22%
• 3Y*: 13.49%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: —

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

FCTE vs. FMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FCTE SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF	8.91%	-3.80%	5.47%
FMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May	3.87%	12.69%	5.61%

Correlation

The correlation between FCTE and FMAY is 0.65, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 3, 2024	0.76

The correlation between FCTE and FMAY shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.76 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FCTE vs. FMAY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCTE	FMAY
Technology	44.1%	36.2%
Healthcare	21.8%	8.4%
Industrials	13.8%	8.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	10.1%
Communication Services	6.1%	10.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.9%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Energy	-	3.5%
Financial Services	-	11.9%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

FCTE vs. FMAY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCTE

FCTE Risk / Return Rank: 12
FCTE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
FCTE Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
FCTE Omega Ratio Rank: 12
FCTE Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
FCTE Martin Ratio Rank: 12

FMAY

FMAY Risk / Return Rank: 80
FMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
FMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

FCTE vs. FMAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF (FCTE) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May (FMAY). 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.

	FCTE	FMAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.20	2.28	-2.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.38	3.26	-2.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.48	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.23	3.39	-3.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.63	19.63	-19.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCTE vs. FMAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCTE Sharpe Ratio is 0.20, which is lower than the FMAY Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCTE and FMAY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FCTE	FMAY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20	2.28	-2.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.99	-0.71

Drawdowns

FCTE vs. FMAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCTE drawdown since its inception was -19.68%, which is greater than FMAY's maximum drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCTE and FMAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCTE	FMAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.68%	-13.60%	-6.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.85%	-4.22%	-8.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.12%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.10%	-1.81%	-1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.01%	-2.01%	-4.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.66%	0.73%	+3.93%

Volatility

FCTE vs. FMAY - Volatility Comparison

SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF (FCTE) has a higher volatility of 3.77% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May (FMAY) at 2.06%. This indicates that FCTE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FMAY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCTE	FMAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.77%	2.06%	+1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.35%	4.91%	+7.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.99%	6.28%	+8.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.68%	10.61%	+8.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.68%	10.17%	+8.51%

FCTE vs. FMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FCTE and FMAY have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

FCTE vs. FMAY - Dividend Comparison

FCTE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.08%, while FMAY has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FCTE SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF	0.08%	0.18%	0.18%
FMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCTE and FMAY in my portfolio?

FCTE and FMAY have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCTE or FMAY?

FCTE has higher volatility (3.77%) compared to FMAY (2.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCTE dropped -19.68% vs FMAY's -13.60%.

Which ETF is better, FCTE or FMAY?

On 1-year performance, FMAY leads with 14.22% vs 2.91% for FCTE. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, FMAY has been the lower-risk option at 2.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCTE or FMAY?

Over the 1-year period, FMAY has performed better with a 14.22% return vs 2.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCTE or FMAY?

FCTE and FMAY have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FCTE or FMAY?

FCTE has the higher dividend yield at 0.08%, compared with 0.00% for FMAY.

What is the main difference between FCTE and FMAY?

They also come from different issuers: SMI 3Fourteen and First Trust.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 0.20), 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.