XISE vs. GMAR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XISE (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September) and GMAR (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March) are both Options Trading funds from FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XISE returned 6.58% vs 14.05% for GMAR. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

XISE vs. GMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September (XISE) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March (GMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XISE achieves a 3.14% return, which is significantly lower than GMAR's 7.45% return.

XISE

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 3.14%
• 6M: 3.12%
• 1Y: 6.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GMAR

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -0.06%
• YTD: 7.45%
• 6M: 7.48%
• 1Y: 14.05%
• 3Y*: 11.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XISE vs. GMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
XISE FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September	3.14%	6.42%	5.70%	2.93%
GMAR FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March	7.45%	9.29%	12.14%	4.05%

Correlation

The correlation between XISE and GMAR is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2023	0.69

The correlation between XISE and GMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XISE vs. GMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

XISE

XISE Risk / Return Rank: 84
XISE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
XISE Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
XISE Omega Ratio Rank: 90
XISE Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
XISE Martin Ratio Rank: 91

GMAR

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

XISE vs. GMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September (XISE) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March (GMAR). 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.

	XISE	GMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	3.59	-1.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	5.93	-2.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.90	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	7.87	-4.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.66	51.61	-31.95

XISE vs. GMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XISE Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is lower than the GMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XISE and GMAR, 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

XISE vs. GMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XISE drawdown since its inception was -6.17%, smaller than the maximum GMAR drawdown of -9.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XISE and GMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	XISE	GMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.17%	-9.11%	+2.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.88%	-1.79%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.11%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	-0.61%	+0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.24%	-0.54%	+0.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	0.27%	+0.07%

Volatility

XISE vs. GMAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September (XISE) is 0.36%, while FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March (GMAR) has a volatility of 1.42%. This indicates that XISE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XISE	GMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.36%	1.42%	-1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.33%	3.26%	-0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.92%	3.97%	-1.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.88%	6.83%	-1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.88%	6.83%	-1.95%

XISE vs. GMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XISE and GMAR have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

XISE vs. GMAR - Dividend Comparison

XISE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.91%, while GMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
GMAR FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XISE FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September	5.91%	5.81%	7.04%	1.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XISE and GMAR in my portfolio?

XISE and GMAR have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XISE or GMAR?

GMAR has higher volatility (1.42%) compared to XISE (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XISE dropped -6.17% vs GMAR's -9.11%.

Which ETF is better, XISE or GMAR?

On 1-year performance, GMAR leads with 14.05% vs 6.58% for XISE. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, XISE has been the lower-risk option at 0.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XISE or GMAR?

Over the 1-year period, GMAR has performed better with a 14.05% return vs 6.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XISE or GMAR?

XISE and GMAR have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XISE or GMAR?

XISE has the higher dividend yield at 5.91%, compared with 0.00% for GMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.59 vs 2.26), 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.