DMAY vs SMAX
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May vs iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF
Which is better, DMAY or SMAX?
DMAY has been ahead.
SMAX has a lower expense ratio. DMAY 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 | SMAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $390M | $119M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.74% |
| Holdings | 10 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +6.49%Best | +6.06% |
| 1Y Return | +8.98%Best | +6.54% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.02% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.16% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.9% | 3.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.4% | -3.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $12,076Best | $11,434 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | May 15, 2020 | Sep 30, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 1, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2 years).
DMAY vs SMAX 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 2 years both funds cover.
DMAY vs SMAX Performance
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year DMAY returned +8.98% while SMAX returned +6.54%. Year to date, DMAY is up 6.49% versus a gain of 6.06% for SMAX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DMAY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 6.9% compared with 3.1% for SMAX. 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 -12.4% for DMAY and -3.9% for SMAX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DMAY charges 0.85% per year while SMAX charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $50 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DMAY currently yields 0.00% against 0.74% for SMAX.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DMAY and SMAX 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 SMAX?
DMAY has an expense ratio of 0.85% while SMAX charges 0.50%. SMAX is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DMAY or SMAX?
Over the past year DMAY returned +8.98% vs +6.54% for SMAX, so DMAY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), DMAY annualized +9.89% vs +6.93% for SMAX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DMAY or SMAX?
DMAY has been the more volatile fund at 6.9% annualized versus 3.1% for SMAX. Worst drawdown: DMAY -12.4% vs SMAX -3.9%.
Should I hold both DMAY and SMAX?
DMAY and SMAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 SMAX?
DMAY yields 0.00% while SMAX yields 0.74%, so SMAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMAX better than DMAY?
SMAX has a lower expense ratio. DMAY 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.