TSEP vs. TMAR

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TSEP (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September) and TMAR (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March) are both Defined Outcome funds from First Trust. TSEP is actively managed, while TMAR is passively managed. Over the past year, TSEP returned 22.60% vs 27.30% for TMAR. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

TSEP vs. TMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March (TMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSEP achieves a 8.90% return, which is significantly lower than TMAR's 13.87% return.

TSEP

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 8.90%
• 6M: 10.66%
• 1Y: 22.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TMAR

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 13.87%
• 6M: 15.22%
• 1Y: 27.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TSEP vs. TMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TSEP FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September	8.90%	15.63%
TMAR FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March	13.87%	14.71%

Correlation

The correlation between TSEP and TMAR is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2025	0.85

The correlation between TSEP and TMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TSEP vs. TMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSEP

TSEP Risk / Return Rank: 70
TSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
TSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
TSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 77
TSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
TSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 70

TMAR

TMAR Risk / Return Rank: 93
TMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
TMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
TMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 95
TMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
TMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

TSEP vs. TMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March (TMAR). 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.

	TSEP	TMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	2.90	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	4.40	-1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.72	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.13	7.53	-4.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.86	36.19	-23.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSEP vs. TMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the TMAR Sharpe Ratio of 2.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSEP and TMAR, 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

	TSEP	TMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.24	2.90	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.45	2.20	-0.75

Drawdowns

TSEP vs. TMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSEP drawdown since its inception was -9.83%, roughly equal to the maximum TMAR drawdown of -9.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSEP and TMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSEP	TMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-9.93%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.25%	-3.64%	-3.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-1.23%	+0.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.69%	-0.66%	-1.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.76%	0.76%	+1.00%

Volatility

TSEP vs. TMAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) is 2.02%, while FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March (TMAR) has a volatility of 4.35%. This indicates that TSEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSEP	TMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.02%	4.35%	-2.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.98%	8.20%	-0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.17%	9.48%	+0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.35%	11.41%	-0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.35%	11.41%	-0.06%

TSEP vs. TMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both TSEP and TMAR have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

TSEP vs. TMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither TSEP nor TMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSEP and TMAR in my portfolio?

TSEP and TMAR have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSEP or TMAR?

TMAR has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to TSEP (2.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSEP dropped -9.83% vs TMAR's -9.93%.

Which ETF is better, TSEP or TMAR?

On 1-year performance, TMAR leads with 27.30% vs 22.60% for TSEP. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, TSEP has been the lower-risk option at 2.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TSEP or TMAR?

Over the 1-year period, TMAR has performed better with a 27.30% return vs 22.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TSEP or TMAR?

TSEP and TMAR have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TSEP or TMAR?

TSEP and TMAR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 2.24), 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.