YSEP vs. XMAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

YSEP (FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September) and XMAR (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March) are both Options Trading funds from FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, YSEP returned 11.45%/yr vs 11.18%/yr for XMAR. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. YSEP charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for XMAR.

Performance

YSEP vs. XMAR - 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 Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR). 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 XMAR's 6.65% return.

YSEP

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

XMAR

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 1.37%
• YTD: 6.65%
• 6M: 7.38%
• 1Y: 12.89%
• 3Y*: 11.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

YSEP vs. XMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
YSEP FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September	4.71%	19.88%	4.63%	11.41%
XMAR FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March	6.65%	10.30%	10.10%	10.30%

Correlation

The correlation between YSEP and XMAR is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2023	0.57

The correlation between YSEP and XMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

YSEP vs. XMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	YSEP	XMAR
Financial Services	24.2%	11.9%
Industrials	18.9%	8.1%
Healthcare	11.2%	8.4%
Technology	9.0%	36.2%
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	7.8%	4.9%
Communication Services	5.8%	10.9%
Basic Materials	5.6%	1.8%
Energy	3.3%	3.5%
Utilities	3.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.9%

Return for Risk

YSEP vs. XMAR — 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

XMAR

XMAR Risk / Return Rank: 97
XMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
XMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
XMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 98
XMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
XMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. XMAR - 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 Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR). 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	XMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	4.31	-2.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	7.46	-5.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	2.20	-0.88
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	8.76	-6.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.98	66.63	-56.65
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. XMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YSEP Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is lower than the XMAR Sharpe Ratio of 4.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YSEP and XMAR, 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	XMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	4.31	-2.62
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	2.13	-1.53

Drawdowns

YSEP vs. XMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YSEP drawdown since its inception was -22.58%, which is greater than XMAR's maximum drawdown of -7.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YSEP and XMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	YSEP	XMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.58%	-7.29%	-15.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.43%	-1.48%	-3.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.75%	-7.29%	-1.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-0.16%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.15%	-0.30%	-3.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	0.19%	+1.18%

Volatility

YSEP vs. XMAR - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest International Equity Buffer ETF - September (YSEP) has a higher volatility of 2.13% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR) at 0.58%. This indicates that YSEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YSEP	XMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.13%	0.58%	+1.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.18%	2.40%	+3.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.11%	3.01%	+5.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.41%	5.55%	+5.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.41%	5.55%	+5.86%

YSEP vs. XMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

YSEP has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than XMAR's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

YSEP vs. XMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither YSEP nor XMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YSEP and XMAR in my portfolio?

YSEP and XMAR have a correlation of 0.61, 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 XMAR?

YSEP has higher volatility (2.13%) compared to XMAR (0.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YSEP dropped -22.58% vs XMAR's -7.29%.

Which ETF is better, YSEP or XMAR?

On 3-year performance, YSEP leads with 11.45% vs 11.18% for XMAR. On fees, XMAR is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, XMAR has been the lower-risk option at 0.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YSEP or XMAR?

Over the 3-year period, YSEP has performed better with a 11.45% return vs 11.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YSEP or XMAR?

XMAR is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for YSEP.

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

YSEP and XMAR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between YSEP and XMAR?

Their fees differ too: 0.90% for YSEP and 0.85% for XMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.31 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.