FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF… (GSEP) Performance
GSEP total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +8.7% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +10.0% total return
- 3 years
- +12.8% a year
- Since first price
- +11.3% a year since 2023
GSEP trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | GSEP total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −0.0% | −0.0% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +2.7% | +2.7% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +5.7% | +5.7% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +8.7% | +8.7% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +10.0% | +10.0% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +43.6%+12.8%/yr | +43.6% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| Since inceptionSep 18, 2023 | +39.4%+11.3%/yr | +39.4% | — | — | — |
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: GSEP vs SPY
From Sep 18, 2023: GSEP grew to $13,943, SPY to $17,763.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
GSEP returns by calendar year
2 of 2 full years positive. Best 2024 (+10.9%), worst 2025 (+10.6%). 2026 is year to date.
GSEP annual returns table
| Year | GSEP | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +8.7% | −4.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +10.6% | −10.1% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +10.9% | −2.1% | +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.
GSEP largest drawdowns
Now 1.2% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 19, 2025 | −10.1% | Apr 8, 2025 | Jun 6, 2025 | 48 days | 4 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
GSEP risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +12.5% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.9% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.31 |
| Sortino ratio | 2.80 |
| Best month | +5.5% |
| Worst month | −2.6% |
| Best 12 months | +17.6% |
| Worst 12 months | +4.6% |
| Positive months | 75% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.46 |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.96 |
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.
GSEP rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 26 | +4.6% | +10.5% | +17.6% | 100% |
| 3-year (a year) | 2 | +12.5% | +12.7% | +12.9% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2023. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
GSEP performance overview
FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF… (GSEP) returned +10.0% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2023 it has returned +11.3% a year, turning $10,000 into about $13,943. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −10.1%, from Feb 19, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025, and it took 59 days to get back to the old high. Volatility has been 5.9% a year.
Related: GSEP chart. See the GSEP overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
GSEP performance FAQ
What is the GSEP return over the past year?
GSEP returned +10.0% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 10.0%.
How much would $10,000 invested in GSEP be worth?
$10,000 invested in GSEP at its first recorded close on September 18, 2023 would be worth about $13,943 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for GSEP?
The worst calendar year was 2025, with a total return of +10.6%. The best was 2024 at +10.9%.
What is the biggest drawdown of GSEP?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −10.1% between February 19, 2025 and April 8, 2025. It recovered to the old high on June 6, 2025, 59 days after the bottom.
How volatile is GSEP?
Over the past 3 years GSEP had an annualized volatility of 5.9% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.31 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).