FOCT vs HEDG
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - October vs Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF
Which is better, FOCT or HEDG?
FOCT has been ahead.
FOCT has a lower expense ratio. FOCT led over 1Y.
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 | FOCT | HEDG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Best | 0.96% |
| AUM | $1.2B | $458M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.28% |
| Holdings | 10 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +11.64%Best | +6.97% |
| 1Y Return | +14.45%Best | +10.37% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.82% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.67% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.1% | 3.6%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Equable Shares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Oct 16, 2020 | Oct 13, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
FOCT 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 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.
FOCT vs HEDG Performance
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - October (FOCT) 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 FOCT returned +14.45% while HEDG returned +10.37%. Year to date, FOCT is up 11.64% versus a gain of 6.97% for HEDG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FOCT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 8.1% compared with 3.6% for HEDG. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FOCT 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, FOCT currently yields 0.00% against 2.28% for HEDG.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FOCT 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, FOCT or HEDG?
FOCT has an expense ratio of 0.85% while HEDG charges 0.96%. FOCT is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FOCT or HEDG?
Over the past year FOCT returned +14.45% vs +10.37% for HEDG, so FOCT leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FOCT or HEDG?
FOCT has been the more volatile fund at 8.1% annualized versus 3.6% for HEDG.
Should I hold both FOCT and HEDG?
FOCT and HEDG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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, FOCT or HEDG?
FOCT yields 0.00% while HEDG yields 2.28%, so HEDG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is HEDG better than FOCT?
FOCT has a lower expense ratio. FOCT led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.