MAYM vs. IBIC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MAYM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May) and IBIC (iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MAYM is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while IBIC is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. MAYM is actively managed, while IBIC is passively managed. Over the past year, MAYM returned 6.36% vs 4.54% for IBIC. At a correlation of -0.19, they often move in opposite directions. MAYM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IBIC.

Performance

MAYM vs. IBIC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May (MAYM) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with MAYM having a 2.33% return and IBIC slightly higher at 2.37%.

MAYM

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 2.33%
• 6M: 2.86%
• 1Y: 6.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBIC

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 2.37%
• 6M: 2.51%
• 1Y: 4.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MAYM vs. IBIC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MAYM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May	2.33%	4.07%
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	2.37%	2.20%

Correlation

The correlation between MAYM and IBIC is -0.18, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 20, 2025	-0.19

Return for Risk

MAYM vs. IBIC — Risk / Return Rank

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

MAYM

MAYM Risk / Return Rank: 94
MAYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
MAYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
MAYM Omega Ratio Rank: 97
MAYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
MAYM Martin Ratio Rank: 96

IBIC

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

MAYM vs. IBIC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May (MAYM) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). 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.

	MAYM	IBIC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.47	5.05	-1.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.78	9.12	-3.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.91	2.24	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.25	17.27	-12.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	36.95	67.45	-30.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MAYM vs. IBIC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAYM Sharpe Ratio is 3.47, which is lower than the IBIC Sharpe Ratio of 5.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAYM and IBIC, 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

	MAYM	IBIC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.47	5.05	-1.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.36	3.49	-0.13

Drawdowns

MAYM vs. IBIC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAYM drawdown since its inception was -1.22%, which is greater than IBIC's maximum drawdown of -0.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAYM and IBIC.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAYM	IBIC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.22%	-0.90%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.22%	-0.26%	-0.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	-0.13%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.08%	-0.10%	+0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.17%	0.07%	+0.10%

Volatility

MAYM vs. IBIC - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May (MAYM) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC) have volatilities of 0.34% and 0.33%, 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

	MAYM	IBIC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.34%	0.33%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.49%	0.67%	+0.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85%	0.90%	+0.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.87%	1.58%	+0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.87%	1.58%	+0.29%

MAYM vs. IBIC - Expense Ratio Comparison

MAYM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIC's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

MAYM vs. IBIC - Dividend Comparison

MAYM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IBIC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.59%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	3.59%	4.43%	4.65%	0.83%
MAYM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MAYM and IBIC in my portfolio?

MAYM and IBIC have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MAYM or IBIC?

MAYM has higher volatility (0.34%) compared to IBIC (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAYM dropped -1.22% vs IBIC's -0.90%.

Which ETF is better, MAYM or IBIC?

On 1-year performance, MAYM leads with 6.36% vs 4.54% for IBIC. On fees, IBIC is cheaper at 0.10% per year. 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, MAYM or IBIC?

Over the 1-year period, MAYM has performed better with a 6.36% return vs 4.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MAYM or IBIC?

IBIC is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for MAYM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MAYM or IBIC?

IBIC has the higher dividend yield at 3.59%, compared with 0.00% for MAYM.

What is the main difference between MAYM and IBIC?

MAYM is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IBIC is Inflation-Protected Bonds. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for MAYM and 0.10% for IBIC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.05 vs 3.47), 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.