YMAR vs. EFA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

YMAR (FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March) and EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YMAR is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, while EFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, YMAR returned 6.23%/yr vs 8.29%/yr for EFA. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. YMAR charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EFA.

Performance

YMAR vs. EFA - 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 iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). 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 lower than EFA's 8.42% return.

YMAR

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

EFA

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 3.40%
• YTD: 8.42%
• 6M: 10.94%
• 1Y: 21.06%
• 3Y*: 16.44%
• 5Y*: 8.29%
• 10Y*: 9.11%

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

YMAR vs. EFA - 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%
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	8.42%	31.55%	3.49%	18.36%	-14.39%	6.29%

Correlation

The correlation between YMAR and EFA is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2021	0.94

The correlation between YMAR and EFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

YMAR vs. EFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	YMAR	EFA
Financial Services	24.7%	24.6%
Industrials	19.8%	19.9%
Healthcare	10.6%	10.6%
Technology	10.3%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	7.6%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	6.7%
Basic Materials	5.9%	5.9%
Communication Services	4.5%	4.5%
Energy	4.0%	4.0%
Utilities	4.0%	4.0%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%

Return for Risk

YMAR vs. EFA — 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

EFA

EFA Risk / Return Rank: 39
EFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
EFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
EFA Omega Ratio Rank: 38
EFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
EFA Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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. EFA - 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 iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). 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	EFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.41	+0.49
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	2.04	+0.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.26	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.07	1.85	+2.22
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.21	6.94	+9.27
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. EFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YMAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is higher than the EFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YMAR and EFA, 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	EFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	1.41	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.51	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.31	+0.30

Drawdowns

YMAR vs. EFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YMAR drawdown since its inception was -22.60%, smaller than the maximum EFA drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YMAR and EFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	YMAR	EFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.60%	-61.04%	+38.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.21%	-11.42%	+8.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.37%	-14.05%	+4.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.60%	-29.53%	+6.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.19%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-1.46%	+1.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-11.93%	+7.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.81%	3.04%	-2.23%

Volatility

YMAR vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March (YMAR) is 2.03%, while iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has a volatility of 4.98%. This indicates that YMAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YMAR	EFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.03%	4.98%	-2.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.26%	12.51%	-7.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.92%	15.05%	-8.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.35%	16.48%	-5.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.26%	17.26%	-6.00%

YMAR vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

YMAR has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

YMAR vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison

YMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while EFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	3.12%	3.38%	3.24%	2.98%	2.69%	3.33%	2.13%	3.10%	3.39%	2.57%	3.07%	2.76%
YMAR FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YMAR and EFA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, YMAR and EFA 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, YMAR or EFA?

EFA has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to YMAR (2.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YMAR dropped -22.60% vs EFA's -61.04%.

Which ETF is better, YMAR or EFA?

On 5-year performance, EFA leads with 8.29% vs 6.23% for YMAR. On fees, EFA is cheaper at 0.32% 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 EFA?

Over the 5-year period, EFA has performed better with a 8.29% 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 EFA?

EFA is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for YMAR.

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

EFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.12%, compared with 0.00% for YMAR.

What is the main difference between YMAR and EFA?

YMAR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while EFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. YMAR tracks iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, while EFA tracks MSCI EAFE Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for YMAR and 0.32% for EFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.41), 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.