DJUL vs HEDG
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - July vs Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF
Which is better, DJUL or HEDG?
DJUL has been ahead.
DJUL has a lower expense ratio. DJUL led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | DJUL | HEDG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Best | 0.96% |
| AUM | $491M | $465M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.78% |
| Holdings | 10 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +8.27%Best | +6.78% |
| 1Y Return | +10.47%Best | +10.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.31% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.9% | 3.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -4.3% | -3.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $11,036Best | $11,015 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Equable Shares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jul 16, 2020 | Oct 13, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 13, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1 years).
DJUL 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 covers the 1 years both funds cover.
DJUL vs HEDG Performance
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - July (DJUL) 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 DJUL returned +10.47% while HEDG returned +10.34%. Year to date, DJUL is up 8.27% versus a gain of 6.78% for HEDG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DJUL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.9% compared with 3.6% for HEDG. 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 -4.3% for DJUL and -3.9% for HEDG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DJUL 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, DJUL currently yields 0.00% against 2.78% for HEDG.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DJUL and HEDG you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DJUL or HEDG?
DJUL has an expense ratio of 0.85% while HEDG charges 0.96%. DJUL is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DJUL or HEDG?
Over the past year DJUL returned +10.47% vs +10.34% for HEDG, so DJUL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), DJUL annualized +10.36% vs +10.15% for HEDG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DJUL or HEDG?
DJUL has been the more volatile fund at 5.9% annualized versus 3.6% for HEDG. Worst drawdown: DJUL -4.3% vs HEDG -3.9%.
Should I hold both DJUL and HEDG?
DJUL and HEDG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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, DJUL or HEDG?
DJUL yields 0.00% while HEDG yields 2.78%, so HEDG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is HEDG better than DJUL?
DJUL has a lower expense ratio. DJUL led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.