FSEP vs. IVVB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) and IVVB (iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF) are both Options Trading funds. FSEP is passively managed, while IVVB is actively managed. Over the past year, FSEP returned 17.62% vs 14.57% for IVVB. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FSEP charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for IVVB.

Performance

FSEP vs. IVVB - 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 iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF (IVVB). 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 higher than IVVB's 4.57% return.

FSEP

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

IVVB

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 1.91%
• YTD: 4.57%
• 6M: 4.37%
• 1Y: 14.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FSEP vs. IVVB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	6.56%	12.83%	13.56%	5.94%
IVVB iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF	4.57%	9.60%	18.66%	2.60%

Correlation

The correlation between FSEP and IVVB 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 3, 2023	0.90

The correlation between FSEP and IVVB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

FSEP vs. IVVB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FSEP	IVVB
Technology	36.2%	35.6%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.8%
Communication Services	10.9%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.5%
Industrials	8.1%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

FSEP vs. IVVB — 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

IVVB

IVVB Risk / Return Rank: 58
IVVB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IVVB Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IVVB Omega Ratio Rank: 63
IVVB Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
IVVB Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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. IVVB - 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 iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF (IVVB). 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	IVVB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.02	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	2.82	+0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.39	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	2.55	+0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.90	10.94	+4.96
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. IVVB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the IVVB Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSEP and IVVB, 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	IVVB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36	2.02	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	1.31	-0.21

Drawdowns

FSEP vs. IVVB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSEP drawdown since its inception was -13.79%, which is greater than IVVB's maximum drawdown of -13.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSEP and IVVB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSEP	IVVB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.79%	-13.08%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.62%	-5.75%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.37%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.15%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.14%	-1.61%	-0.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.11%	1.34%	-0.23%

Volatility

FSEP vs. IVVB - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) has a higher volatility of 1.19% compared to iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF (IVVB) at 0.74%. This indicates that FSEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IVVB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSEP	IVVB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.19%	0.74%	+0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.79%	5.49%	+0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.52%	7.27%	+0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.79%	9.28%	+1.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.54%	9.28%	+1.26%

FSEP vs. IVVB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSEP has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than IVVB's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSEP vs. IVVB - Dividend Comparison

FSEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IVVB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IVVB iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF	1.17%	1.22%	0.87%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSEP and IVVB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, FSEP and IVVB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FSEP or IVVB?

FSEP has higher volatility (1.19%) compared to IVVB (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSEP dropped -13.79% vs IVVB's -13.08%.

Which ETF is better, FSEP or IVVB?

On 1-year performance, FSEP leads with 17.62% vs 14.57% for IVVB. On fees, IVVB is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, IVVB has been the lower-risk option at 0.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FSEP or IVVB?

Over the 1-year period, FSEP has performed better with a 17.62% return vs 14.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FSEP or IVVB?

IVVB is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FSEP.

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

IVVB has the higher dividend yield at 1.17%, compared with 0.00% for FSEP.

What is the main difference between FSEP and IVVB?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FSEP and 0.50% for IVVB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.02), 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.