YMAR vs. BGLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

YMAR (FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March) and BGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from FT Vest. YMAR is passively managed, while BGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, YMAR returned 6.23%/yr vs 11.20%/yr for BGLD. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. YMAR charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BGLD.

Performance

YMAR vs. BGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March (YMAR) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YMAR achieves a 5.29% return, which is significantly higher than BGLD's 0.32% return.

YMAR

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 1.52%
• YTD: 5.29%
• 6M: 6.66%
• 1Y: 13.02%
• 3Y*: 10.63%
• 5Y*: 6.23%
• 10Y*: —

BGLD

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 0.32%
• 6M: 1.34%
• 1Y: 12.93%
• 3Y*: 19.37%
• 5Y*: 11.20%
• 10Y*: —

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

YMAR vs. BGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
YMAR FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March	5.29%	18.55%	3.12%	16.31%	-8.46%	3.24%
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	0.32%	33.03%	21.80%	13.24%	-2.42%	-1.30%

Correlation

The correlation between YMAR and BGLD is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2021	0.29

Return for Risk

YMAR vs. BGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

YMAR

YMAR Risk / Return Rank: 68
YMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
YMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
YMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 63
YMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
YMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 82

BGLD

BGLD Risk / Return Rank: 28
BGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
BGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
BGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 31
BGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
BGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

YMAR vs. BGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March (YMAR) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). 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.

	YMAR	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.09	+0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	1.51	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.21	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.07	1.17	+2.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.21	3.72	+12.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

YMAR vs. BGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YMAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is higher than the BGLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YMAR and BGLD, 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

	YMAR	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	1.09	+0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	1.13	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	1.05	-0.44

Drawdowns

YMAR vs. BGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YMAR drawdown since its inception was -22.60%, which is greater than BGLD's maximum drawdown of -16.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YMAR and BGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	YMAR	BGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.60%	-16.19%	-6.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.21%	-11.11%	+7.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.37%	-11.11%	+1.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.60%	-15.52%	-7.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-7.22%	+6.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-3.64%	-0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.81%	3.49%	-2.68%

Volatility

YMAR vs. BGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March (YMAR) is 2.03%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) has a volatility of 2.20%. This indicates that YMAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YMAR	BGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.03%	2.20%	-0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.26%	10.04%	-4.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.92%	11.90%	-4.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.35%	9.97%	+1.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.26%	9.89%	+1.37%

YMAR vs. BGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

YMAR has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than BGLD's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

YMAR vs. BGLD - Dividend Comparison

YMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 44.18%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	44.18%	44.32%	25.04%	10.49%	0.40%
YMAR FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YMAR and BGLD in my portfolio?

YMAR and BGLD have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YMAR or BGLD?

BGLD has higher volatility (2.20%) compared to YMAR (2.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YMAR dropped -22.60% vs BGLD's -16.19%.

Which ETF is better, YMAR or BGLD?

On 5-year performance, BGLD leads with 11.20% vs 6.23% for YMAR. On fees, YMAR is cheaper at 0.90% per year. On volatility, YMAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YMAR or BGLD?

Over the 5-year period, BGLD has performed better with a 11.20% return vs 6.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YMAR or BGLD?

YMAR is cheaper with a 0.90% expense ratio, compared with 0.91% for BGLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, YMAR or BGLD?

BGLD has the higher dividend yield at 44.18%, compared with 0.00% for YMAR.

What is the main difference between YMAR and BGLD?

Their fees differ too: 0.90% for YMAR and 0.91% for BGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.09), 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.