FNOV vs. BGLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FNOV (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November) and BGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from FT Vest. FNOV is passively managed, while BGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FNOV returned 9.26%/yr vs 11.20%/yr for BGLD. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FNOV charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BGLD.

Performance

FNOV vs. BGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November (FNOV) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FNOV achieves a 6.44% return, which is significantly higher than BGLD's 0.32% return.

FNOV

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 2.52%
• YTD: 6.44%
• 6M: 6.91%
• 1Y: 19.58%
• 3Y*: 14.49%
• 5Y*: 9.26%
• 10Y*: —

BGLD

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 0.32%
• 6M: 1.34%
• 1Y: 12.93%
• 3Y*: 19.37%
• 5Y*: 11.20%
• 10Y*: —

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

FNOV vs. BGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FNOV FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November	6.44%	14.66%	12.48%	19.69%	-8.88%	9.53%
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	0.32%	33.03%	21.80%	13.24%	-2.42%	-5.57%

Correlation

The correlation between FNOV and BGLD is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2021	0.14

Return for Risk

FNOV vs. BGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNOV

FNOV Risk / Return Rank: 81
FNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
FNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 86

BGLD

BGLD Risk / Return Rank: 28
BGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
BGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
BGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 31
BGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
BGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

FNOV vs. BGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November (FNOV) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). 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.

	FNOV	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	1.09	+1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.80	1.51	+2.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.21	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.45	1.17	+2.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.25	3.72	+14.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FNOV vs. BGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNOV Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is higher than the BGLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNOV and BGLD, 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

	FNOV	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	1.09	+1.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	1.13	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	1.05	-0.29

Drawdowns

FNOV vs. BGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNOV drawdown since its inception was -24.41%, which is greater than BGLD's maximum drawdown of -16.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNOV and BGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNOV	BGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.41%	-16.19%	-8.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.71%	-11.11%	+5.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.11%	-11.11%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.87%	-15.52%	-0.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-7.22%	+7.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.92%	-3.64%	+0.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	3.49%	-2.41%

Volatility

FNOV vs. BGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November (FNOV) is 1.13%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) has a volatility of 2.20%. This indicates that FNOV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FNOV	BGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	2.20%	-1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.71%	10.04%	-4.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.50%	11.90%	-4.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.48%	9.97%	+1.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.68%	9.89%	+3.79%

FNOV vs. BGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNOV has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BGLD's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

FNOV vs. BGLD - Dividend Comparison

FNOV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 44.18%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	44.18%	44.32%	25.04%	10.49%	0.40%
FNOV FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FNOV and BGLD in my portfolio?

FNOV and BGLD have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FNOV or BGLD?

BGLD has higher volatility (2.20%) compared to FNOV (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNOV dropped -24.41% vs BGLD's -16.19%.

Which ETF is better, FNOV or BGLD?

On 5-year performance, BGLD leads with 11.20% vs 9.26% for FNOV. On fees, FNOV is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, FNOV has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FNOV or BGLD?

Over the 5-year period, BGLD has performed better with a 11.20% return vs 9.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FNOV or BGLD?

FNOV is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.91% for BGLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FNOV or BGLD?

BGLD has the higher dividend yield at 44.18%, compared with 0.00% for FNOV.

What is the main difference between FNOV and BGLD?

Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FNOV and 0.91% for BGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 1.09), 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.