FSEP vs. FMAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) and FMAR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March) are both exchange-traded funds - FSEP is a Options Trading fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index September, while FMAR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. FSEP is passively managed, while FMAR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FSEP returned 10.07%/yr vs 10.92%/yr for FMAR. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

FSEP vs. FMAR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSEP achieves a 6.56% return, which is significantly lower than FMAR's 10.25% return.

FSEP

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 2.58%
• YTD: 6.56%
• 6M: 7.03%
• 1Y: 17.62%
• 3Y*: 14.44%
• 5Y*: 10.07%
• 10Y*: —

FMAR

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.97%
• YTD: 10.25%
• 6M: 11.34%
• 1Y: 19.83%
• 3Y*: 14.63%
• 5Y*: 10.92%
• 10Y*: —

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

FSEP vs. FMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	6.56%	12.83%	13.56%	20.23%	-7.05%	8.83%
FMAR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March	10.25%	9.69%	14.61%	20.39%	-5.51%	11.38%

Correlation

The correlation between FSEP and FMAR is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2021	0.91

The correlation between FSEP and FMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

FSEP vs. FMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FSEP	FMAR
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

FSEP vs. FMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSEP

FSEP Risk / Return Rank: 74
FSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
FSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 80

FMAR

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

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.

FSEP vs. FMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	FSEP	FMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	3.92	-1.57
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	6.30	-2.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.99	-0.52
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	8.55	-5.40
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.90	59.00	-43.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSEP vs. FMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is lower than the FMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSEP and FMAR, 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

	FSEP	FMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36	3.92	-1.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	1.05	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	1.11	-0.01

Drawdowns

FSEP vs. FMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSEP drawdown since its inception was -13.79%, roughly equal to the maximum FMAR drawdown of -14.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSEP and FMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSEP	FMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.79%	-14.36%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.62%	-2.36%	-3.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.37%	-12.37%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.79%	-14.36%	+0.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	0.00%	-0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.14%	-2.14%	0.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.11%	0.34%	+0.77%

Volatility

FSEP vs. FMAR - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) has a higher volatility of 1.19% compared to FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR) at 0.98%. This indicates that FSEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSEP	FMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.19%	0.98%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.79%	3.94%	+1.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.52%	5.08%	+2.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.79%	10.45%	+0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.54%	10.35%	+0.19%

FSEP vs. FMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FSEP and FMAR have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

FSEP vs. FMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither FSEP nor FMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSEP and FMAR in my portfolio?

FSEP and FMAR have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSEP or FMAR?

FSEP has higher volatility (1.19%) compared to FMAR (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSEP dropped -13.79% vs FMAR's -14.36%.

Which ETF is better, FSEP or FMAR?

On 5-year performance, FMAR leads with 10.92% vs 10.07% for FSEP. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. 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, FSEP or FMAR?

Over the 5-year period, FMAR has performed better with a 10.92% return vs 10.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FSEP or FMAR?

FSEP and FMAR have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

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

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

What is the main difference between FSEP and FMAR?

FSEP is categorized as Options Trading, while FMAR is Defined Outcome.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.92 vs 2.36), 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.