DMAY vs HEDG
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May vs Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF
Which is better, DMAY or HEDG?
HEDG has been ahead.
DMAY has a lower expense ratio. HEDG led over 1Y 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 | HEDG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Best | 0.96% |
| AUM | $390M | $465M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.78% |
| Holdings | 10 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +6.49% | +6.78%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.98% | +10.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.02% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.16% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.4% | 3.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -3.4%Best | -3.9% |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $10,884 | $11,015Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Equable Shares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | May 15, 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).
DMAY 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.
DMAY vs HEDG Performance
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) 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 DMAY returned +8.98% while HEDG returned +10.34%. Year to date, DMAY is up 6.49% versus a gain of 6.78% for HEDG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DMAY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.4% 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 -3.4% for DMAY 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DMAY 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, DMAY currently yields 0.00% against 2.78% for HEDG.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DMAY and HEDG 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 HEDG?
DMAY has an expense ratio of 0.85% while HEDG charges 0.96%. DMAY is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DMAY or HEDG?
Over the past year DMAY returned +8.98% vs +10.34% for HEDG, so HEDG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), DMAY annualized +8.84% vs +10.15% for HEDG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DMAY or HEDG?
DMAY has been the more volatile fund at 4.4% annualized versus 3.6% for HEDG. Worst drawdown: DMAY -3.4% vs HEDG -3.9%.
Should I hold both DMAY and HEDG?
DMAY and HEDG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 HEDG?
DMAY yields 0.00% while HEDG yields 2.78%, so HEDG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is HEDG better than DMAY?
DMAY has a lower expense ratio. HEDG led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.