XAUG vs. XIMR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and XIMR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March) are both Options Trading funds from FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XAUG returned 10.01% vs 7.87% for XIMR. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

XAUG vs. XIMR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August (XAUG) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March (XIMR). 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 XAUG having a 4.03% return and XIMR slightly higher at 4.15%.

XAUG

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 4.03%
• 6M: 3.85%
• 1Y: 10.01%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XIMR

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 4.15%
• 6M: 4.33%
• 1Y: 7.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XAUG vs. XIMR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August	4.03%	9.48%	6.35%
XIMR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March	4.15%	6.80%	5.75%

Correlation

The correlation between XAUG and XIMR is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 19, 2024	0.60

The correlation between XAUG and XIMR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XAUG vs. XIMR — Risk / Return Rank

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

XAUG

XAUG Risk / Return Rank: 82
XAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
XAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
XAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 89
XAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
XAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 88

XIMR

XIMR Risk / Return Rank: 97
XIMR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
XIMR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
XIMR Omega Ratio Rank: 98
XIMR Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
XIMR 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.

XAUG vs. XIMR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August (XAUG) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March (XIMR). 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.

	XAUG	XIMR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	3.87	-1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	7.00	-3.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	2.20	-0.69
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	7.29	-4.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.48	59.00	-41.52

XAUG vs. XIMR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is lower than the XIMR Sharpe Ratio of 3.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XAUG and XIMR, 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

XAUG vs. XIMR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAUG drawdown since its inception was -8.70%, which is greater than XIMR's maximum drawdown of -5.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAUG and XIMR.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAUG	XIMR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.70%	-5.12%	-3.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.12%	-1.08%	-2.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	-0.30%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.47%	-0.17%	-0.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	0.13%	+0.44%

Volatility

XAUG vs. XIMR - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August (XAUG) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March (XIMR) have volatilities of 0.80% and 0.79%, 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

	XAUG	XIMR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.80%	0.79%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.48%	1.79%	+1.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.38%	2.08%	+2.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.46%	4.34%	+2.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.46%	4.34%	+2.12%

XAUG vs. XIMR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XAUG and XIMR have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

XAUG vs. XIMR - Dividend Comparison

XAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XIMR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.43%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
XAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XIMR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March	6.43%	6.41%	4.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XAUG and XIMR in my portfolio?

XAUG and XIMR have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XAUG or XIMR?

XAUG has higher volatility (0.80%) compared to XIMR (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XAUG dropped -8.70% vs XIMR's -5.12%.

Which ETF is better, XAUG or XIMR?

On 1-year performance, XAUG leads with 10.01% vs 7.87% for XIMR. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. 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, XAUG or XIMR?

Over the 1-year period, XAUG has performed better with a 10.01% return vs 7.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XAUG or XIMR?

XAUG and XIMR have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XAUG or XIMR?

XIMR has the higher dividend yield at 6.43%, compared with 0.00% for XAUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XIMR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.87 vs 2.30), 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.