FMAR vs OCT
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - March vs VanEck US Equity Buffer ETF - October
Which is better, FMAR or OCT?
OCT costs less.
OCT has a lower expense ratio.
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 | OCT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 5 | - |
| YTD Return | +13.17%Best | -0.32% |
| 1Y Return | +15.35% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.76% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.33% | - |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | VanEck |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Mar 19, 2021 | Sep 30, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
FMAR vs OCT 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FMAR vs OCT Performance
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and VanEck US Equity Buffer ETF - October (OCT) is an ETF from VanEck. Year to date, FMAR is up 13.17% versus a loss of 0.32% for OCT.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FMAR charges 0.85% per year while OCT charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $50 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FMAR currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for OCT.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FMAR and OCT 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 OCT?
FMAR has an expense ratio of 0.85% while OCT charges 0.50%. OCT is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, FMAR or OCT?
FMAR yields 0.00% while OCT yields 0.00%, so OCT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is OCT better than FMAR?
OCT has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.