FFEB vs HEDG
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - February vs Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF
Which is better, FFEB or HEDG?
FFEB has been ahead.
FFEB has a lower expense ratio. FFEB led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | FFEB | HEDG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Best | 0.96% |
| AUM | $1.4B | $465M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.78% |
| Holdings | 10 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +11.12%Best | +6.78% |
| 1Y Return | +14.59%Best | +10.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.72% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.02% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.9% | 3.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -5.7% | -3.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $11,455Best | $11,015 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Equable Shares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Feb 21, 2020 | Oct 13, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 13, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1 years).
FFEB vs HEDG 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 years both funds cover.
FFEB vs HEDG Performance
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - February (FFEB) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF (HEDG) is an ETF from Equable Shares. Over the past year FFEB returned +14.59% while HEDG returned +10.34%. Year to date, FFEB is up 11.12% versus a gain of 6.78% for HEDG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FFEB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.9% compared with 3.6% for HEDG. 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 -5.7% for FFEB and -3.9% for HEDG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FFEB charges 0.85% per year while HEDG charges 0.96%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $96 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FFEB currently yields 0.00% against 2.78% for HEDG.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FFEB and HEDG 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, FFEB or HEDG?
FFEB has an expense ratio of 0.85% while HEDG charges 0.96%. FFEB is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FFEB or HEDG?
Over the past year FFEB returned +14.59% vs +10.34% for HEDG, so FFEB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), FFEB annualized +14.55% vs +10.15% for HEDG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FFEB or HEDG?
FFEB has been the more volatile fund at 7.9% annualized versus 3.6% for HEDG. Worst drawdown: FFEB -5.7% vs HEDG -3.9%.
Should I hold both FFEB and HEDG?
FFEB and HEDG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FFEB or HEDG?
FFEB yields 0.00% while HEDG yields 2.78%, so HEDG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is HEDG better than FFEB?
FFEB has a lower expense ratio. FFEB led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.