GMAY vs. IVV

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

GMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May) and IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GMAY is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while IVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. GMAY is actively managed, while IVV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GMAY returned 11.70%/yr vs 20.79%/yr for IVV. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GMAY charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for IVV.

Performance

GMAY vs. IVV - 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 iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GMAY achieves a 4.13% return, which is significantly lower than IVV's 8.20% return.

GMAY

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 4.13%
• 6M: 4.24%
• 1Y: 11.98%
• 3Y*: 11.70%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IVV

• 1D: -1.42%
• 1M: -1.34%
• YTD: 8.20%
• 6M: 7.25%
• 1Y: 23.72%
• 3Y*: 20.79%
• 5Y*: 13.13%
• 10Y*: 15.58%

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

GMAY vs. IVV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May	4.13%	11.94%	12.12%	8.77%
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	8.20%	17.85%	24.93%	14.94%

Correlation

The correlation between GMAY and IVV is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2023	0.88

The correlation between GMAY and IVV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GMAY vs. IVV — Risk / Return Rank

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

GMAY

GMAY Risk / Return Rank: 82
GMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
GMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
GMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 85
GMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
GMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 91

IVV

IVV Risk / Return Rank: 59
IVV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IVV Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
IVV Omega Ratio Rank: 58
IVV Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
IVV Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. IVV - 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 iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV). 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	IVV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	1.91	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	2.60	+0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.35	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.87	2.68	+1.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.76	11.98	+8.78

GMAY vs. IVV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GMAY Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the IVV Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GMAY and IVV, 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. IVV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GMAY drawdown since its inception was -11.75%, smaller than the maximum IVV drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GMAY and IVV.

Drawdown Indicators

	GMAY	IVV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.75%	-55.25%	+43.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.11%	-8.89%	+5.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.75%	-18.75%	+7.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.53%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	-3.14%	+2.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-10.76%	+10.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.58%	1.99%	-1.41%

Volatility

GMAY vs. IVV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May (GMAY) is 2.43%, while iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) has a volatility of 4.88%. This indicates that GMAY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IVV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GMAY	IVV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.43%	4.88%	-2.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.29%	9.85%	-5.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.16%	12.48%	-7.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.89%	16.98%	-9.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.89%	18.07%	-10.18%

GMAY vs. IVV - Expense Ratio Comparison

GMAY has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than IVV's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

GMAY vs. IVV - Dividend Comparison

GMAY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IVV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	1.11%	1.17%	1.30%	1.44%	1.66%	1.20%	1.57%	1.85%	2.21%	1.75%	2.01%	2.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GMAY and IVV in my portfolio?

GMAY and IVV have a correlation of 0.88, 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 IVV?

IVV has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to GMAY (2.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GMAY dropped -11.75% vs IVV's -55.25%.

Which ETF is better, GMAY or IVV?

On 3-year performance, IVV leads with 20.79% vs 11.70% for GMAY. On fees, IVV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, GMAY has been the lower-risk option at 2.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GMAY or IVV?

Over the 3-year period, IVV has performed better with a 20.79% return vs 11.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GMAY or IVV?

IVV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for GMAY.

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

IVV has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.00% for GMAY.

What is the main difference between GMAY and IVV?

GMAY is categorized as Options Trading, while IVV is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GMAY and 0.03% for IVV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 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.