DAPR vs. FSEP

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DAPR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April) and FSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) are both exchange-traded funds - DAPR is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while FSEP is a Options Trading fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index September. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DAPR returned 5.89%/yr vs 9.80%/yr for FSEP. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

DAPR vs. FSEP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April (DAPR) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DAPR achieves a 3.22% return, which is significantly lower than FSEP's 5.82% return.

DAPR

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 3.22%
• 6M: 3.29%
• 1Y: 8.85%
• 3Y*: 10.16%
• 5Y*: 5.89%
• 10Y*: —

FSEP

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 5.82%
• 6M: 5.41%
• 1Y: 15.95%
• 3Y*: 13.62%
• 5Y*: 9.80%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DAPR vs. FSEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DAPR FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April	3.22%	5.74%	14.99%	9.84%	-6.84%	5.20%
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	5.82%	12.83%	13.56%	20.23%	-7.05%	6.92%

Correlation

The correlation between DAPR and FSEP is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2021	0.88

The correlation between DAPR and FSEP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DAPR vs. FSEP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DAPR

DAPR Risk / Return Rank: 93
DAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
DAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
DAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 97

FSEP

FSEP Risk / Return Rank: 71
FSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 75
FSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
FSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 78

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DAPR vs. FSEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April (DAPR) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DAPR	FSEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.78	2.11	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.19	3.02	+1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.41	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.61	2.85	+2.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	36.08	14.23	+21.85

DAPR vs. FSEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAPR Sharpe Ratio is 2.78, which is higher than the FSEP Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAPR and FSEP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DAPR vs. FSEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAPR drawdown since its inception was -10.51%, smaller than the maximum FSEP drawdown of -13.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAPR and FSEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAPR	FSEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.51%	-13.79%	+3.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.59%	-5.62%	+4.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.51%	-12.37%	+1.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.51%	-13.79%	+3.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.91%	-0.96%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.28%	-2.12%	-0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.25%	1.12%	-0.87%

Volatility

DAPR vs. FSEP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April (DAPR) is 1.85%, while FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) has a volatility of 2.20%. This indicates that DAPR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DAPR	FSEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.85%	2.20%	-0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.58%	6.05%	-3.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20%	7.62%	-4.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.23%	10.83%	-2.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.15%	10.53%	-2.38%

DAPR vs. FSEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DAPR and FSEP have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

DAPR vs. FSEP - Dividend Comparison

Neither DAPR nor FSEP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DAPR and FSEP in my portfolio?

DAPR and FSEP have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DAPR or FSEP?

FSEP has higher volatility (2.20%) compared to DAPR (1.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAPR dropped -10.51% vs FSEP's -13.79%.

Which ETF is better, DAPR or FSEP?

On 5-year performance, FSEP leads with 9.80% vs 5.89% for DAPR. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, DAPR has been the lower-risk option at 1.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DAPR or FSEP?

Over the 5-year period, FSEP has performed better with a 9.80% return vs 5.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DAPR or FSEP?

DAPR and FSEP have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DAPR or FSEP?

DAPR and FSEP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DAPR and FSEP?

DAPR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while FSEP is Options Trading. DAPR tracks S&P 500, while FSEP tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index September.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 2.11), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.