OCTM vs. OCTB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

OCTM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - October) and OCTB (Aptus October Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. OCTM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for OCTB.

Performance

OCTM vs. OCTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - October (OCTM) and Aptus October Buffer ETF (OCTB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OCTM achieves a 2.71% return, which is significantly lower than OCTB's 6.18% return.

OCTM

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 2.71%
• 6M: 3.16%
• 1Y: 8.16%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

OCTB

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 2.41%
• YTD: 6.18%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

OCTM vs. OCTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
OCTM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - October	2.71%	1.23%
OCTB Aptus October Buffer ETF	6.18%	2.37%

Correlation

The correlation between OCTM and OCTB is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 15, 2025	0.93

Return for Risk

OCTM vs. OCTB — Risk / Return Rank

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

OCTM

OCTM Risk / Return Rank: 93
OCTM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
OCTM Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
OCTM Omega Ratio Rank: 95
OCTM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
OCTM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

OCTM vs. OCTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - October (OCTM) and Aptus October Buffer ETF (OCTB). 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.

	OCTM	OCTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.38	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.34	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.74	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.99	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.66	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	OCTM	OCTB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.38	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.04	1.97	+0.07

Drawdowns

OCTM vs. OCTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OCTM drawdown since its inception was -3.29%, smaller than the maximum OCTB drawdown of -4.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OCTM and OCTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	OCTM	OCTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.29%	-4.79%	+1.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.64%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.17%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.39%	-0.70%	+0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.33%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	OCTM	OCTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.46%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.82%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43%	7.20%	-4.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.10%	7.20%	-4.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.10%	7.20%	-4.10%

OCTM vs. OCTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

OCTM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than OCTB's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

OCTM vs. OCTB - Dividend Comparison

Neither OCTM nor OCTB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OCTM and OCTB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, OCTM and OCTB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, OCTM or OCTB?

On fees, OCTB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, OCTM or OCTB?

OCTB is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for OCTM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OCTM or OCTB?

OCTM and OCTB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between OCTM and OCTB?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Aptus Capital Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for OCTM and 0.25% for OCTB.