FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF… (GMAR) Performance
GMAR total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +10.6% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +12.5% total return
- 3 years
- +12.9% a year
- Since first price
- +12.3% a year since 2023
GMAR trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | GMAR total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −0.1% | −0.1% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +2.5% | +2.5% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +4.7% | +4.7% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +10.6% | +10.6% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +12.5% | +12.5% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +43.7%+12.9%/yr | +43.7% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| Since inceptionMar 20, 2023 | +51.8%+12.3%/yr | +51.8% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: GMAR vs SPY
From Mar 20, 2023: GMAR grew to $15,179, SPY to $20,159.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
GMAR returns by calendar year
2 of 2 full years positive. Best 2024 (+12.1%), worst 2025 (+9.3%). 2026 is year to date.
GMAR annual returns table
| Year | GMAR | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +10.6% | −1.8% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +9.3% | −9.1% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +12.1% | −4.1% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
GMAR risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | Since 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +12.6% | +12.1% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.9% | 4.9% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.57 | 1.46 |
| Sortino ratio | 3.40 | 3.06 |
| Best month | +4.7% | +4.7% |
| Worst month | −2.3% | −2.3% |
| Best 12 months | +17.7% | +17.7% |
| Worst 12 months | +7.9% | +7.9% |
| Positive months | 83% | 83% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.35 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.89 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
GMAR rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 32 | +7.9% | +12.1% | +17.7% | 100% |
| 3-year (a year) | 8 | +11.1% | +12.1% | +12.9% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2023. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
GMAR performance overview
FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF… (GMAR) returned +12.5% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2023 it has returned +12.3% a year, turning $10,000 into about $15,179. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
Related: GMAR chart. See the GMAR overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
GMAR performance FAQ
What is the GMAR return over the past year?
GMAR returned +12.5% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 12.5%.
How much would $10,000 invested in GMAR be worth?
$10,000 invested in GMAR at its first recorded close on March 20, 2023 would be worth about $15,179 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for GMAR?
The worst calendar year was 2025, with a total return of +9.3%. The best was 2024 at +12.1%.
How volatile is GMAR?
Over the past 3 years GMAR had an annualized volatility of 4.9% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.57 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).