GMAY vs. BUFQ

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

GMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May) and BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GMAY is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. GMAY is actively managed, while BUFQ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GMAY returned 11.49%/yr vs 16.28%/yr for BUFQ. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GMAY charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for BUFQ.

Performance

GMAY vs. BUFQ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GMAY achieves a 3.36% return, which is significantly lower than BUFQ's 8.23% return.

GMAY

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.77%
• YTD: 3.36%
• 6M: 3.25%
• 1Y: 9.83%
• 3Y*: 11.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFQ

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: -0.82%
• YTD: 8.23%
• 6M: 7.72%
• 1Y: 17.83%
• 3Y*: 16.28%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GMAY vs. BUFQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May	3.36%	11.94%	12.12%	8.77%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	8.23%	14.03%	16.41%	12.90%

Correlation

The correlation between GMAY and BUFQ is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2023	0.83

The correlation between GMAY and BUFQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GMAY vs. BUFQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

GMAY

GMAY Risk / Return Rank: 74
GMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
GMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
GMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
GMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
GMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 88

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 80
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 82
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

GMAY vs. BUFQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May (GMAY) 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.

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.

	GMAY	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	2.13	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	3.13	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.42	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	3.32	-0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.51	16.43	+0.08

GMAY vs. BUFQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GMAY Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the BUFQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GMAY 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.

Drawdowns

GMAY vs. BUFQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GMAY drawdown since its inception was -11.75%, smaller than the maximum BUFQ drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GMAY and BUFQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	GMAY	BUFQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.75%	-15.74%	+3.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.11%	-5.39%	+2.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.75%	-15.74%	+3.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-1.27%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-2.29%	+1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.60%	1.09%	-0.49%

Volatility

GMAY vs. BUFQ - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May (GMAY) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) have volatilities of 2.51% and 2.62%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GMAY	BUFQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.51%	2.62%	-0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.34%	6.75%	-2.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.16%	8.40%	-3.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.88%	13.30%	-5.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.88%	13.30%	-5.42%

GMAY vs. BUFQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

GMAY vs. BUFQ - Dividend Comparison

Neither GMAY nor BUFQ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GMAY and BUFQ in my portfolio?

GMAY and BUFQ have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GMAY or BUFQ?

BUFQ has higher volatility (2.62%) compared to GMAY (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GMAY dropped -11.75% vs BUFQ's -15.74%.

Which ETF is better, GMAY or BUFQ?

On 3-year performance, BUFQ leads with 16.28% vs 11.49% for GMAY. On fees, GMAY is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, GMAY has been the lower-risk option at 2.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GMAY or BUFQ?

Over the 3-year period, BUFQ has performed better with a 16.28% return vs 11.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GMAY or BUFQ?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between GMAY and BUFQ?

GMAY is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFQ is Nasdaq-100. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GMAY and 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.91), 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.