FOCT vs SDTY
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - October vs YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF
Which is better, FOCT or SDTY?
SDTY has been ahead.
FOCT has a lower expense ratio. SDTY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | SDTY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Best | 1.08% |
| AUM | $1.2B | $29M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 28.74% |
| Holdings | 10 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +11.60%Best | +11.19% |
| 1Y Return | +14.86% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.66% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.65% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.3%Best | 13.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.1%Best | -16.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $12,516 | $13,460Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Oct 16, 2020 | Feb 5, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 6, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.7 years).
FOCT vs SDTY 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
FOCT vs SDTY Performance
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - October (FOCT) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year FOCT returned +14.86% while SDTY returned +16.63%. Year to date, FOCT is up 11.60% versus a gain of 11.19% for SDTY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SDTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 8.3% for FOCT. 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 -13.1% for FOCT and -16.3% for SDTY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FOCT charges 0.85% per year while SDTY charges 1.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $108 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FOCT currently yields 0.00% against 28.74% for SDTY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FOCT and SDTY 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 SDTY?
FOCT has an expense ratio of 0.85% while SDTY charges 1.08%. FOCT is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FOCT or SDTY?
Over the past year FOCT returned +14.86% vs +16.63% for SDTY, so SDTY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FOCT annualized +14.11% vs +19.10% for SDTY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FOCT or SDTY?
SDTY has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 8.3% for FOCT. Worst drawdown: FOCT -13.1% vs SDTY -16.3%.
Should I hold both FOCT and SDTY?
FOCT and SDTY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FOCT or SDTY?
FOCT yields 0.00% while SDTY yields 28.74%, so SDTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SDTY better than FOCT?
FOCT has a lower expense ratio. SDTY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.