FEBM vs GMAY
FT Vest US Equity Max Buffer ETF - February vs FT Vest US Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May
Which is better, FEBM or GMAY?
GMAY has been ahead.
GMAY led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FEBM | GMAY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Tie | 0.85%Tie |
| AUM | $46M | $448M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 10 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +4.57% | +6.79%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.24% | +9.14%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.19% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.4%Best | 6.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.6%Best | -11.1% |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $11,009 | $11,717Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Feb 21, 2025 | May 19, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.6 years).
FEBM vs GMAY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.6 years both funds cover.
FEBM vs GMAY Performance
FT Vest US Equity Max Buffer ETF - February (FEBM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and FT Vest US Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May (GMAY) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year FEBM returned +6.24% while GMAY returned +9.14%. Year to date, FEBM is up 4.57% versus a gain of 6.79% for GMAY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GMAY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 6.4% compared with 2.4% for FEBM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -2.6% for FEBM and -11.1% for GMAY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FEBM charges 0.85% per year while GMAY charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $85 annually. On income, FEBM currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for GMAY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FEBM and GMAY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FEBM or GMAY?
FEBM has an expense ratio of 0.85% while GMAY charges 0.85%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, FEBM or GMAY?
Over the past year FEBM returned +6.24% vs +9.14% for GMAY, so GMAY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FEBM annualized +6.19% vs +10.41% for GMAY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FEBM or GMAY?
GMAY has been the more volatile fund at 6.4% annualized versus 2.4% for FEBM. Worst drawdown: FEBM -2.6% vs GMAY -11.1%.
Should I hold both FEBM and GMAY?
FEBM and GMAY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FEBM or GMAY?
FEBM yields 0.00% while GMAY yields 0.00%, so GMAY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is GMAY better than FEBM?
GMAY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.