YSEP vs. BGLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

YSEP (FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September) and BGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YSEP is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BGLD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, YSEP returned 11.45%/yr vs 19.37%/yr for BGLD. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. YSEP charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BGLD.

Performance

YSEP vs. BGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September (YSEP) 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, YSEP achieves a 4.71% return, which is significantly higher than BGLD's 0.32% return.

YSEP

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 1.71%
• YTD: 4.71%
• 6M: 5.91%
• 1Y: 13.62%
• 3Y*: 11.45%
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

YSEP vs. BGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
YSEP FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September	4.71%	19.88%	4.63%	15.48%	-9.75%	-0.50%
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	0.32%	33.03%	21.80%	13.24%	-2.42%	0.79%

Correlation

The correlation between YSEP and BGLD is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2021	0.29

Return for Risk

YSEP vs. BGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

YSEP

YSEP Risk / Return Rank: 52
YSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
YSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
YSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 51
YSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
YSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

YSEP vs. BGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September (YSEP) 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.

	YSEP	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.09	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	1.51	+0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.21	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	1.17	+1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.98	3.72	+6.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

YSEP vs. BGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YSEP Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is higher than the BGLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YSEP 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

	YSEP	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	1.09	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.13	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	1.05	-0.45

Drawdowns

YSEP vs. BGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YSEP drawdown since its inception was -22.58%, which is greater than BGLD's maximum drawdown of -16.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YSEP and BGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	YSEP	BGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.58%	-16.19%	-6.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.43%	-11.11%	+5.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.75%	-11.11%	+2.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.52%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-7.22%	+6.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.15%	-3.64%	-0.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	3.49%	-2.12%

Volatility

YSEP vs. BGLD - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September (YSEP) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) have volatilities of 2.13% and 2.20%, 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

	YSEP	BGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.13%	2.20%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.18%	10.04%	-3.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.11%	11.90%	-3.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.41%	9.97%	+1.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.41%	9.89%	+1.52%

YSEP vs. BGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

YSEP vs. BGLD - Dividend Comparison

YSEP 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%
YSEP FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YSEP and BGLD in my portfolio?

YSEP and BGLD have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YSEP or BGLD?

BGLD has higher volatility (2.20%) compared to YSEP (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YSEP dropped -22.58% vs BGLD's -16.19%.

Which ETF is better, YSEP or BGLD?

On 3-year performance, BGLD leads with 19.37% vs 11.45% for YSEP. On fees, YSEP is cheaper at 0.90% per year. 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, YSEP or BGLD?

Over the 3-year period, BGLD has performed better with a 19.37% return vs 11.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YSEP or BGLD?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between YSEP and BGLD?

YSEP is categorized as Options Trading, while BGLD is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for YSEP and 0.91% for BGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YSEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 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.