GMAY vs. FSEP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May) and FSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) are both Options Trading funds from FT Vest. GMAY is actively managed, while FSEP is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GMAY returned 12.18%/yr vs 14.44%/yr for FSEP. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

GMAY vs. FSEP - 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 Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GMAY achieves a 4.42% return, which is significantly lower than FSEP's 6.56% return.

GMAY

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: 4.42%
• 6M: 5.09%
• 1Y: 12.38%
• 3Y*: 12.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FSEP

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

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

GMAY vs. FSEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May	4.42%	11.94%	12.12%	8.88%
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	6.56%	12.83%	13.56%	11.95%

Correlation

The correlation between GMAY and FSEP is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2023	0.86

The correlation between GMAY and FSEP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

GMAY vs. FSEP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GMAY	FSEP
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

GMAY vs. FSEP — Risk / Return Rank

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

GMAY

GMAY Risk / Return Rank: 85
GMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
GMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
GMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 88
GMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
GMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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

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. FSEP - 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 Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP). 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.

	GMAY	FSEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	2.36	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	3.40	+0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.47	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.00	3.15	+0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.44	15.90	+7.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GMAY vs. FSEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GMAY Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is comparable to the FSEP Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GMAY and FSEP, 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

	GMAY	FSEP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61	2.36	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.94	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.60	1.10	+0.50

Drawdowns

GMAY vs. FSEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GMAY drawdown since its inception was -11.75%, smaller than the maximum FSEP drawdown of -13.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GMAY and FSEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	GMAY	FSEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.75%	-13.79%	+2.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.11%	-5.62%	+2.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.75%	-12.37%	+0.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-0.22%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.72%	-2.14%	+1.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.53%	1.11%	-0.58%

Volatility

GMAY vs. FSEP - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May (GMAY) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) have volatilities of 1.21% and 1.19%, 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	FSEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.21%	1.19%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.71%	5.79%	-2.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.77%	7.52%	-2.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.85%	10.79%	-2.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.85%	10.54%	-2.69%

GMAY vs. FSEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

GMAY vs. FSEP - Dividend Comparison

Neither GMAY nor FSEP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GMAY and FSEP in my portfolio?

GMAY and FSEP have a correlation of 0.89, 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 FSEP?

GMAY has higher volatility (1.21%) compared to FSEP (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GMAY dropped -11.75% vs FSEP's -13.79%.

Which ETF is better, GMAY or FSEP?

On 3-year performance, FSEP leads with 14.44% vs 12.18% for GMAY. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GMAY or FSEP?

Over the 3-year period, FSEP has performed better with a 14.44% return vs 12.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GMAY or FSEP?

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

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

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 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.