MAYM vs. IGLD

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

MAYM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MAYM is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, MAYM returned 5.24% vs 13.80% for IGLD. Their 0.23 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

MAYM vs. IGLD - 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 FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MAYM achieves a 2.53% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -6.56% return.

MAYM

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.35%
• 6M: 2.15%
• YTD: 2.53%
• 1Y: 5.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.62%

IGLD

• 1D: -1.09%
• 1M: -1.14%
• 6M: -15.05%
• YTD: -6.56%
• 1Y: 13.80%
• 3Y*: 19.55%
• 5Y*: 12.09%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.82%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	$4.80M	$5.50M	$7.14M
MAYM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May	$18.41K	$46.40K	$468.10K

MAYM vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MAYM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May	2.53%	4.14%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-6.56%	28.49%

Correlation

The correlation between MAYM and IGLD is 0.30, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2025	0.23

Return for Risk

MAYM vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MAYM

MAYM Risk / Return Rank: 94
MAYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
MAYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
MAYM Omega Ratio Rank: 96
MAYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
MAYM Martin Ratio Rank: 96

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 25
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 29
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 21

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MAYM vs. IGLD - 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 FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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.

	MAYM	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	0.61	+1.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.90	0.95	+2.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.13	+0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.27	0.65	+3.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.42	1.46	+20.96

MAYM vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAYM and IGLD, 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

MAYM vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAYM drawdown since its inception was -1.22%, smaller than the maximum IGLD drawdown of -23.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAYM and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAYM	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.22%	-23.84%	+22.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.22%	-23.84%	+22.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.84%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.84%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-22.04%	+21.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.11%	-5.70%	+5.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.23%	10.55%	-10.32%

Volatility

MAYM vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May (MAYM) is 0.63%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 5.69%. This indicates that MAYM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MAYM	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.63%	5.69%	-5.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.82%	22.06%	-20.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05%	25.10%	-23.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.02%	15.74%	-13.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.02%	15.43%	-13.41%

MAYM vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both MAYM and IGLD have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

MAYM vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

MAYM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.34%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	20.71%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%
MAYM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MAYM and IGLD in my portfolio?

MAYM and IGLD have a correlation of 0.30, 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 IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (5.69%) compared to MAYM (0.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAYM dropped -1.22% vs IGLD's -23.84%.

Which ETF is better, MAYM or IGLD?

On 1-year performance, IGLD leads with 13.80% vs 5.24% for MAYM. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, MAYM has been the lower-risk option at 0.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MAYM or IGLD?

Over the 1-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 13.80% return vs 5.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MAYM or IGLD?

MAYM and IGLD have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 20.71%, compared with 0.00% for MAYM.

What is the main difference between MAYM and IGLD?

MAYM is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IGLD is Gold.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MAYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 0.61), 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.