YMAR vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

YMAR (FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YMAR is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, while ITOT is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P Composite 1500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, YMAR returned 6.23%/yr vs 12.69%/yr for ITOT. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. YMAR charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

YMAR vs. ITOT - 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 Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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 ITOT's 11.25% return.

YMAR

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

ITOT

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 11.12%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 22.09%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

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

YMAR vs. ITOT - 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%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	11.25%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	18.46%

Correlation

The correlation between YMAR and ITOT 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2021	0.72

The correlation between YMAR and ITOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

YMAR vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	YMAR	ITOT
Financial Services	24.7%	12.1%
Industrials	19.8%	9.5%
Healthcare	10.6%	9.0%
Technology	10.3%	33.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	4.7%
Basic Materials	5.9%	2.1%
Communication Services	4.5%	10.3%
Energy	4.0%	3.7%
Utilities	4.0%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.4%

Return for Risk

YMAR vs. ITOT — 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

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 68
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. ITOT - 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 Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	2.32	-0.42
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	3.17	-0.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.42	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.07	3.17	+0.90
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.21	14.57	+1.64
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. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YMAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YMAR and ITOT, 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	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	2.32	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.74	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.57	+0.04

Drawdowns

YMAR vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YMAR drawdown since its inception was -22.60%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YMAR and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	YMAR	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.60%	-55.20%	+32.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.21%	-8.90%	+5.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.37%	-19.44%	+10.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.60%	-25.36%	+2.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.73%	+0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-6.97%	+2.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.81%	1.94%	-1.13%

Volatility

YMAR vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March (YMAR) is 2.03%, while iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) has a volatility of 2.99%. This indicates that YMAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YMAR	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.03%	2.99%	-0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.26%	9.13%	-3.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.92%	12.20%	-5.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.35%	17.36%	-6.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.26%	18.26%	-7.00%

YMAR vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

YMAR has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

YMAR vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

YMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ITOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	0.98%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%
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 ITOT in my portfolio?

YMAR and ITOT 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, YMAR or ITOT?

ITOT has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to YMAR (2.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YMAR dropped -22.60% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, YMAR or ITOT?

On 5-year performance, ITOT leads with 12.69% vs 6.23% for YMAR. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% 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 ITOT?

Over the 5-year period, ITOT has performed better with a 12.69% 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 ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for YMAR.

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

ITOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.00% for YMAR.

What is the main difference between YMAR and ITOT?

YMAR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while ITOT is Large Cap Growth Equities. YMAR tracks iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, while ITOT tracks S&P Composite 1500 Index. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for YMAR and 0.03% for ITOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 1.90), 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.