YSEP vs. PHEQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

YSEP (FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September) and PHEQ (Parametric Hedged Equity ETF) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, YSEP returned 13.62% vs 15.97% for PHEQ. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. YSEP charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for PHEQ.

Performance

YSEP vs. PHEQ - 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 Parametric Hedged Equity ETF (PHEQ). 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 lower than PHEQ's 5.67% return.

YSEP

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 1.71%
• YTD: 4.71%
• 6M: 5.91%
• 1Y: 13.62%
• 3Y*: 11.45%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PHEQ

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 1.64%
• YTD: 5.67%
• 6M: 6.14%
• 1Y: 15.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

YSEP vs. PHEQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
YSEP FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September	4.71%	19.88%	4.63%	10.02%
PHEQ Parametric Hedged Equity ETF	5.67%	11.76%	14.94%	7.19%

Correlation

The correlation between YSEP and PHEQ is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2023	0.52

The correlation between YSEP and PHEQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (all time) to 0.67 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

YSEP vs. PHEQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	YSEP	PHEQ
Financial Services	24.2%	11.3%
Industrials	18.9%	8.3%
Healthcare	11.2%	8.6%
Technology	9.0%	35.4%
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	7.8%	5.0%
Communication Services	5.8%	11.8%
Basic Materials	5.6%	1.7%
Energy	3.3%	3.7%
Utilities	3.3%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.6%

Return for Risk

YSEP vs. PHEQ — 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

PHEQ

PHEQ Risk / Return Rank: 82
PHEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
PHEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
PHEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 84
PHEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
PHEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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. PHEQ - 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 Parametric Hedged Equity ETF (PHEQ). 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	PHEQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	2.62	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	3.92	-1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.52	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	3.77	-1.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.98	17.21	-7.23
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. PHEQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YSEP Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is lower than the PHEQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YSEP and PHEQ, 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	PHEQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	2.62	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	1.80	-1.20

Drawdowns

YSEP vs. PHEQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YSEP drawdown since its inception was -22.58%, which is greater than PHEQ's maximum drawdown of -12.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YSEP and PHEQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	YSEP	PHEQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.58%	-12.55%	-10.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.43%	-4.26%	-1.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.75%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-0.18%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.15%	-0.97%	-3.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	0.93%	+0.44%

Volatility

YSEP vs. PHEQ - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September (YSEP) has a higher volatility of 2.13% compared to Parametric Hedged Equity ETF (PHEQ) at 1.05%. This indicates that YSEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PHEQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YSEP	PHEQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.13%	1.05%	+1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.18%	4.56%	+1.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.11%	6.16%	+1.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.41%	8.62%	+2.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.41%	8.62%	+2.79%

YSEP vs. PHEQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

YSEP has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than PHEQ's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

YSEP vs. PHEQ - Dividend Comparison

YSEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PHEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
PHEQ Parametric Hedged Equity ETF	1.03%	1.19%	1.39%	1.73%
YSEP FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YSEP and PHEQ in my portfolio?

YSEP and PHEQ have a correlation of 0.67, 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 PHEQ?

YSEP has higher volatility (2.13%) compared to PHEQ (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YSEP dropped -22.58% vs PHEQ's -12.55%.

Which ETF is better, YSEP or PHEQ?

On 1-year performance, PHEQ leads with 15.97% vs 13.62% for YSEP. On fees, PHEQ is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, PHEQ has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YSEP or PHEQ?

Over the 1-year period, PHEQ has performed better with a 15.97% return vs 13.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YSEP or PHEQ?

PHEQ is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for YSEP.

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

PHEQ has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for YSEP.

What is the main difference between YSEP and PHEQ?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Parametric. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for YSEP and 0.29% for PHEQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PHEQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 1.69), 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.