FMAR vs SEPM
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - March vs FT Vest US Equity Max Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, FMAR or SEPM?
FMAR has been ahead.
FMAR 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 | FMAR | SEPM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Tie | 0.85%Tie |
| AUM | $1.2B | $37M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 10 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +13.39%Best | +5.12% |
| 1Y Return | +16.31%Best | +6.53% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.66% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.74% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.2% | 2.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.4% | -3.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $12,873Best | $11,333 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Mar 19, 2021 | Sep 20, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 23, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.1 years).
FMAR vs SEPM 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
FMAR vs SEPM Performance
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and FT Vest US Equity Max Buffer ETF - September (SEPM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year FMAR returned +16.31% while SEPM returned +6.53%. Year to date, FMAR is up 13.39% versus a gain of 5.12% for SEPM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FMAR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 6.2% compared with 2.6% for SEPM. 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 -12.4% for FMAR and -3.9% for SEPM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FMAR charges 0.85% per year while SEPM charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $85 annually. On income, FMAR currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for SEPM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FMAR and SEPM 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, FMAR or SEPM?
FMAR has an expense ratio of 0.85% while SEPM charges 0.85%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, FMAR or SEPM?
Over the past year FMAR returned +16.31% vs +6.53% for SEPM, so FMAR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FMAR annualized +12.78% vs +6.14% for SEPM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FMAR or SEPM?
FMAR has been the more volatile fund at 6.2% annualized versus 2.6% for SEPM. Worst drawdown: FMAR -12.4% vs SEPM -3.9%.
Should I hold both FMAR and SEPM?
FMAR and SEPM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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, FMAR or SEPM?
FMAR yields 0.00% while SEPM yields 0.00%, so SEPM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SEPM better than FMAR?
FMAR 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.