FMAR vs. BUFQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FMAR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March) and BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FMAR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. FMAR is actively managed, while BUFQ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FMAR returned 14.55%/yr vs 16.99%/yr for BUFQ. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FMAR charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for BUFQ.

Performance

FMAR vs. BUFQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FMAR having a 10.02% return and BUFQ slightly lower at 9.53%.

FMAR

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 1.97%
• YTD: 10.02%
• 6M: 11.01%
• 1Y: 19.13%
• 3Y*: 14.55%
• 5Y*: 10.77%
• 10Y*: —

BUFQ

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 2.68%
• YTD: 9.53%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: 21.61%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FMAR vs. BUFQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FMAR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March	10.02%	9.69%	14.61%	20.39%	6.41%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	9.53%	14.03%	16.41%	35.51%	0.75%

Correlation

The correlation between FMAR and BUFQ is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 17, 2022	0.88

The correlation between FMAR and BUFQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

FMAR vs. BUFQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FMAR	BUFQ
Technology	36.2%	54.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	0.2%
Communication Services	10.9%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	4.2%
Industrials	8.1%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.6%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.2%

Return for Risk

FMAR vs. BUFQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FMAR

FMAR Risk / Return Rank: 96
FMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
FMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
FMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 84
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 85
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

FMAR vs. BUFQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). 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.

	FMAR	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.79	2.62	+1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.08	3.88	+2.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.94	1.53	+0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.14	4.03	+4.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	56.00	20.34	+35.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FMAR vs. BUFQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FMAR Sharpe Ratio is 3.79, which is higher than the BUFQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FMAR and BUFQ, 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

	FMAR	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.79	2.62	+1.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.04	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	1.42	-0.32

Drawdowns

FMAR vs. BUFQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FMAR drawdown since its inception was -14.36%, smaller than the maximum BUFQ drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FMAR and BUFQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FMAR	BUFQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.36%	-15.74%	+1.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.36%	-5.39%	+3.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.37%	-15.74%	+3.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.36%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.04%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.14%	-2.31%	+0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	1.06%	-0.72%

Volatility

FMAR vs. BUFQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR) is 0.98%, while FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) has a volatility of 1.17%. This indicates that FMAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FMAR	BUFQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.98%	1.17%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.95%	6.42%	-2.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.08%	8.31%	-3.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.45%	13.35%	-2.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.35%	13.35%	-3.00%

FMAR vs. BUFQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FMAR has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFQ's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

FMAR vs. BUFQ - Dividend Comparison

Neither FMAR nor BUFQ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FMAR and BUFQ in my portfolio?

FMAR and BUFQ have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FMAR or BUFQ?

BUFQ has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to FMAR (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FMAR dropped -14.36% vs BUFQ's -15.74%.

Which ETF is better, FMAR or BUFQ?

On 3-year performance, BUFQ leads with 16.99% vs 14.55% for FMAR. On fees, FMAR is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, FMAR has been the lower-risk option at 0.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FMAR or BUFQ?

Over the 3-year period, BUFQ has performed better with a 16.99% return vs 14.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FMAR or BUFQ?

FMAR is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FMAR or BUFQ?

FMAR and BUFQ have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FMAR and BUFQ?

FMAR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while BUFQ is Nasdaq-100. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FMAR and 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.79 vs 2.62), 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.