FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - May (SMAY) belongs to the Defined Outcome category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with SMAY. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SMAY
SMAY charges 0.90% annually. There are 264 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.25%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | SMAY vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | SMAY vs APRB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | SMAY vs JANB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | SMAY vs JULB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | SMAY vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SMAY
SMAY has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 90. There are 79 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 99.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 99 | — | Mar 2025 | SMAY vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | SMAY vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | SMAY vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | SMAY vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 133.76M | Mar 2021 | SMAY vs XBAP |
Top Performing SMAY Alternatives (YTD)
SMAY is at 8.76% YTD. There are 32 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 16.35%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leverage Shares 2x Capped Accelerated NVDA Monthly... | 16.35% | — | Aug 2025 | SMAY vs NVDO | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 15.63% | — | Mar 2025 | SMAY vs TMAR | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.48% | — | Jan 2025 | SMAY vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.76% | 216.78M | Mar 2020 | SMAY vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.60% | 563.55M | Mar 2021 | SMAY vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SMAY
SMAY has 7.61% 1-year volatility. There are 198 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.18%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.18% | — | Mar 2025 | SMAY vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.21% | — | Apr 2025 | SMAY vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.29% | — | Apr 2025 | SMAY vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | SMAY vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | SMAY vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SMAY
SMAY has a 1-year max drawdown of -3.00%. There are 81 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.35% | — | Mar 2025 | SMAY vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | SMAY vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | SMAY vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | SMAY vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.30M | May 2024 | SMAY vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, NFTY and span 13 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With SMAY
Investors most often compare SMAY with DBE, DBO, ZMAY. These 9 comparison targets span 6 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco DB Energy Fund | Oil & Gas | 32 | 54.94% | 94.72M | Jan 2007 | SMAY vs DBE | |
| Invesco DB Oil Fund | Oil & Gas | 26 | 51.89% | 240.68M | Jan 2007 | SMAY vs DBO | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May | Defined Outcome | 96 | 1.95% | — | May 2025 | SMAY vs ZMAY | |
| United States Brent Oil Fund LP | Oil & Gas | 23 | 52.26% | 883.37M | Jun 2010 | SMAY vs BNO | |
| Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF | Options Trading | 36 | 0.75% | 668.40M | Aug 2013 | SMAY vs CAOS | |
| iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF | Inflation-Protected Bonds | 98 | 2.39% | 85.97M | Sep 2023 | SMAY vs IBIC | |
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | Defined Outcome, Nasdaq-100 | 97 | 11.74% | 7.34M | Dec 2024 | SMAY vs PQAP | |
| iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF | Commodities | 31 | 25.05% | 1.16B | Oct 2014 | SMAY vs COMT | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April | Defined Outcome | 98 | 7.62% | 952.31M | Apr 2019 | SMAY vs PAPR |
Compare SMAY with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SMAY with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SMAY with funds that move differently
FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - May alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SMAY.
Explore SMAY Diversifiers