GFEB vs. XIMR

Last updated Jun 19, 2026

GFEB (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - February) and XIMR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March) are both Options Trading funds from FT Vest. GFEB is passively managed, while XIMR is actively managed. Over the past year, GFEB returned 15.20% vs 8.44% for XIMR. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

GFEB vs. XIMR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - February (GFEB) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March (XIMR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GFEB achieves a 5.91% return, which is significantly higher than XIMR's 4.33% return.

GFEB

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 1.11%
• YTD: 5.91%
• 6M: 6.50%
• 1Y: 15.20%
• 3Y*: 12.48%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XIMR

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 4.33%
• 6M: 4.63%
• 1Y: 8.44%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GFEB vs. XIMR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GFEB FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - February	5.91%	11.19%	9.69%
XIMR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March	4.33%	6.80%	5.75%

Correlation

The correlation between GFEB and XIMR is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 19, 2024	0.70

The correlation between GFEB and XIMR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GFEB vs. XIMR — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFEB

GFEB Risk / Return Rank: 86
GFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
GFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
GFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 91
GFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
GFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 88

XIMR

XIMR Risk / Return Rank: 97
XIMR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
XIMR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
XIMR Omega Ratio Rank: 98
XIMR Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
XIMR 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.

GFEB vs. XIMR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - February (GFEB) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March (XIMR). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	GFEB	XIMR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.75	4.09	-1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.06	7.55	-3.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	2.31	-0.76
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.42	7.82	-4.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.24	64.09	-45.84

GFEB vs. XIMR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFEB Sharpe Ratio is 2.75, which is lower than the XIMR Sharpe Ratio of 4.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFEB and XIMR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GFEB vs. XIMR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFEB drawdown since its inception was -9.63%, which is greater than XIMR's maximum drawdown of -5.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFEB and XIMR.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFEB	XIMR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.63%	-5.12%	-4.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.46%	-1.08%	-3.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.13%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.70%	-0.17%	-0.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.13%	+0.71%

Volatility

GFEB vs. XIMR - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - February (GFEB) has a higher volatility of 1.68% compared to FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March (XIMR) at 0.77%. This indicates that GFEB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XIMR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GFEB	XIMR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.68%	0.77%	+0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.47%	1.78%	+2.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.56%	2.07%	+3.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.57%	4.35%	+3.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.57%	4.35%	+3.22%

GFEB vs. XIMR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GFEB and XIMR have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

GFEB vs. XIMR - Dividend Comparison

GFEB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XIMR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.42%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
GFEB FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - February	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XIMR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March	6.42%	6.41%	4.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GFEB and XIMR in my portfolio?

GFEB and XIMR have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GFEB or XIMR?

GFEB has higher volatility (1.68%) compared to XIMR (0.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFEB dropped -9.63% vs XIMR's -5.12%.

Which ETF is better, GFEB or XIMR?

On 1-year performance, GFEB leads with 15.20% vs 8.44% for XIMR. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, XIMR has been the lower-risk option at 0.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GFEB or XIMR?

Over the 1-year period, GFEB has performed better with a 15.20% return vs 8.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GFEB or XIMR?

GFEB and XIMR have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GFEB or XIMR?

XIMR has the higher dividend yield at 6.42%, compared with 0.00% for GFEB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XIMR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.09 vs 2.75), 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.