Data as of .
GMAR vs XMAR: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 GMAR can fall 9.0% before its buffer engages and XMAR 8.1%.
These are two different products. XMAR is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. GMAR is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.
Both are First Trust funds, so the difference between them is the terms rather than the house.
Where each one stands today
GMAR resets first, on Mar 19, 2027, 179 days from now; XMAR runs to Mar 19, 2027, 179 days. GMAR can still gain 3.9% before its cap, XMAR 3.3%. A fall from here reaches GMAR’s buffer after 9.0% and XMAR’s after 8.1%. Both track SPY, so what separates them is where each is in its own period.
Every figure is ETFIQ’s own, from the issuer’s published outcome-period terms. A buffer ETF holds FLEX options on its reference index rather than shares, so there is no holdings overlap between two of them to report.
Performance, window by window
| Window | Total return | Gap to the reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMAR | XMAR | GMAR | XMAR | |
| 3 months | +2.1% | +2.0% | −0.2 pts | −0.2 pts |
| 6 months | +8.5% | +7.5% | −9.5 pts | −10.6 pts |
| 1 year | +12.8% | +11.1% | −3.8 pts | −5.5 pts |
| 3 years | +40.6% | +36.5% | −37.8 pts | −41.9 pts |
| GMAR FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 14.1%, over a period ending Mar 19, 2027 | XMAR FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.2%, over a period ending Mar 19, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 15% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Mar 23, 2026 to Mar 19, 2027 | Mar 23, 2026 to Mar 19, 2027 |
| Days left | 179 | 179 |
| Starting cap | +14.1% | +12.2% |
| Can still gain | 3.9% | 3.3% |
| Fall before buffer | 9.0% | 8.1% |
| Protection left, index points | 15.0% of 15.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +19.3% | +19.3% |
| Fund return this period | +9.0% | +7.8% |
| State today | At cap | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $396m | $154m |
GMAR in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +14.1% for the period on Sep 21, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 3.9% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 9.0% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 16.2% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 15.0% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 179 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Mar 19, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
XMAR in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +12.2% for the period on Sep 21, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 3.3% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 8.1% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, GMAR or XMAR?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, GMAR can gain about 3.9% before its cap and XMAR about 3.3%, so GMAR has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, GMAR or XMAR?
- GMAR ends its outcome period on Mar 19, 2027 and XMAR on Mar 19, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, GMAR or XMAR?
- GMAR charges 0.85% a year and XMAR charges 0.85%, so GMAR is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
Where these figures came from
ETFIQ links to the documents behind every figure. It is not affiliated with any issuer, and a link is not an endorsement.
Cite this page. ETFIQ, GMAR against XMAR, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/gmar-vs-xmar Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.