DMAY vs FFEB
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May vs FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - February
Which is better, DMAY or FFEB?
FFEB has been ahead.
FFEB led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | DMAY | FFEB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Tie | 0.85%Tie |
| AUM | $390M | $1.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 10 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +6.49% | +11.12%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.98% | +14.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.02% | +16.72%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.16% | +11.02%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.1%Best | 9.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.9% | -13.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,131 | $16,866Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | May 15, 2020 | Feb 21, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 18, 2020 to Oct 14, 2026 (6.4 years).
DMAY vs FFEB 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
DMAY vs FFEB Performance
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - February (FFEB) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year DMAY returned +8.98% while FFEB returned +14.59%. Year to date, DMAY is up 6.49% versus a gain of 11.12% for FFEB.
Over three years, DMAY compounded at +12.02% per year against +16.72% for FFEB; over five years the annualized figures are +7.16% and +11.02% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, FFEB has the edge at +13.18% annualized vs +7.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FFEB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.2% compared with 7.1% for DMAY. 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 -13.9% for DMAY and -13.8% for FFEB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DMAY charges 0.85% per year while FFEB charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $85 annually. On income, DMAY currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for FFEB.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DMAY and FFEB 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, DMAY or FFEB?
DMAY has an expense ratio of 0.85% while FFEB charges 0.85%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, DMAY or FFEB?
Over the past year DMAY returned +8.98% vs +14.59% for FFEB, so FFEB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), DMAY annualized +7.25% vs +13.18% for FFEB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DMAY or FFEB?
FFEB has been the more volatile fund at 9.2% annualized versus 7.1% for DMAY. Worst drawdown: DMAY -13.9% vs FFEB -13.8%.
Should I hold both DMAY and FFEB?
DMAY and FFEB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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, DMAY or FFEB?
DMAY yields 0.00% while FFEB yields 0.00%, so FFEB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FFEB better than DMAY?
FFEB led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.