XMAR ETF — First Trust Exchange Traded Fund VIII - Cboe Vest US Equity Enhance and Moderate Buffer ETF

First Trust Exchange Traded Fund VIII - Cboe Vest US Equity Enhance and Moderate Buffer ETF (XMAR)

Updated October 16, 2026.

XMAR is an ETF. its expense ratio is 0.85%. Total return is 46.5% over the past 3.6 years, 56.0 points behind SPY at 102.5%.

This ETF invests substantially all of its assets in flexible exchange options referencing the S&P 500 ETF Trust, employing an options-based strategy designed to enhance equity returns while providing downside buffering. The fund does not currently distribute income, with an expense ratio of 0.85%. It may appeal to equity-focused investors seeking alternatives to traditional index investing through an options-enhanced approach, though its non-diversified structure and derivative-based strategy carry distinct risk characteristics.

XMAR performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 46.5% over the past 3.6 years, 56.0 points behind SPY at 102.5%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 11.6%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 1.5%.

XMAR key facts

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

03/17/2023

Expense ratio

0.85%

Distribution frequency

None

Last close

$43.67 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$159,206,498

Average volume

3407.0

Beta

0.23

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (the posted rate) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: First Trust or company page; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

XMAR risks and drawbacks

Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 1.5%.

Who may consider XMAR — and who may not

It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (XMAR does not currently distribute); investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on XMAR

• All tickers starting with X

Tagged: Downside Protection, Options, Target.

Frequently asked questions

More securities from First Trust.