VTHR vs. FMAY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTHR (Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF) and FMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - VTHR tracks the Russell 3000 Index while FMAY tracks the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index May Series. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VTHR returned 12.66%/yr vs 9.48%/yr for FMAY. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTHR charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FMAY.

Performance

VTHR vs. FMAY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May (FMAY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTHR achieves a 10.94% return, which is significantly higher than FMAY's 5.39% return.

VTHR

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 4.88%
• YTD: 10.94%
• 6M: 10.83%
• 1Y: 27.71%
• 3Y*: 21.93%
• 5Y*: 12.66%
• 10Y*: 14.95%

FMAY

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 1.63%
• YTD: 5.39%
• 6M: 6.32%
• 1Y: 15.38%
• 3Y*: 14.13%
• 5Y*: 9.48%
• 10Y*: —

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

VTHR vs. FMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	10.94%	16.99%	23.57%	25.92%	-19.20%	25.49%	31.93%
FMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May	5.39%	12.69%	14.45%	17.83%	-8.08%	11.00%	10.91%

Correlation

The correlation between VTHR and FMAY 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2020	0.93

The correlation between VTHR and FMAY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTHR vs. FMAY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTHR	FMAY
Technology	33.1%	36.2%
Financial Services	12.1%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.5%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.1%
Industrials	9.6%	8.1%
Healthcare	9.1%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.9%
Energy	3.8%	3.5%
Real Estate	2.4%	1.9%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Basic Materials	2.2%	1.8%

Return for Risk

VTHR vs. FMAY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTHR

VTHR Risk / Return Rank: 67
VTHR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTHR Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VTHR Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VTHR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTHR Martin Ratio Rank: 74

FMAY

FMAY Risk / Return Rank: 83
FMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
FMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 87
FMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

VTHR vs. FMAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May (FMAY). 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.

	VTHR	FMAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.56	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	3.80	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.54	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.12	3.66	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.34	21.48	-7.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTHR vs. FMAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTHR Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the FMAY Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTHR and FMAY, 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

	VTHR	FMAY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	2.56	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.90	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	1.02	-0.17

Drawdowns

VTHR vs. FMAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTHR drawdown since its inception was -34.61%, which is greater than FMAY's maximum drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTHR and FMAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTHR	FMAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.61%	-13.60%	-21.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-4.22%	-4.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-13.12%	-6.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-13.60%	-11.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-0.38%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-2.01%	-2.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	0.72%	+1.22%

Volatility

VTHR vs. FMAY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) has a higher volatility of 2.98% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May (FMAY) at 1.02%. This indicates that VTHR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FMAY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTHR	FMAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	1.02%	+1.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.28%	4.59%	+4.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	6.04%	+6.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.30%	10.59%	+6.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.84%	10.15%	+7.69%

VTHR vs. FMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTHR has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than FMAY's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTHR vs. FMAY - Dividend Comparison

VTHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, while FMAY has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity 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%
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	1.00%	1.08%	1.19%	1.47%	1.52%	1.16%	1.37%	1.65%	1.89%	1.63%	1.82%	1.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTHR and FMAY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, VTHR and FMAY 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 is riskier, VTHR or FMAY?

VTHR has higher volatility (2.98%) compared to FMAY (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTHR dropped -34.61% vs FMAY's -13.60%.

Which ETF is better, VTHR or FMAY?

On 5-year performance, VTHR leads with 12.66% vs 9.48% for FMAY. On fees, VTHR is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, FMAY has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTHR or FMAY?

Over the 5-year period, VTHR has performed better with a 12.66% return vs 9.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTHR or FMAY?

VTHR is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FMAY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTHR or FMAY?

VTHR has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.00% for FMAY.

What is the main difference between VTHR and FMAY?

VTHR tracks Russell 3000 Index, while FMAY tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index May Series. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VTHR and 0.85% for FMAY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.27), 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.