DAUG vs. MMAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF (MMAX).

DAUG and MMAX are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DAUG is a passively managed fund by FT Vest that tracks the performance of the S&P 500. It was launched on Nov 6, 2019. MMAX is an actively managed fund by iShares. It was launched on Mar 31, 2025.

Performance

DAUG vs. MMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF (MMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DAUG vs. MMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August	-1.78%	14.06%
MMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF	1.32%	5.88%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DAUG achieves a -1.78% return, which is significantly lower than MMAX's 1.32% return.

DAUG

• 1D: 1.57%
• 1M: -2.41%
• YTD: -1.78%
• 6M: -0.17%
• 1Y: 12.26%
• 3Y*: 10.68%
• 5Y*: 5.17%
• 10Y*: —

MMAX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 1.32%
• 6M: 3.04%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DAUG vs. MMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than MMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

DAUG

FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August

MMAX

iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF

Return for Risk

DAUG vs. MMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DAUG

DAUG Risk / Return Rank: 76
DAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
DAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 80
DAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

DAUG vs. MMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF (MMAX). 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.

	DAUG	MMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.89	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.69	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DAUG	MMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	2.82	-2.18

Correlation

The correlation between DAUG and MMAX is 0.71, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

DAUG vs. MMAX - Dividend Comparison

DAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%.

	TTM	2025
DAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%
MMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF	1.30%	1.31%

Drawdowns

DAUG vs. MMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAUG drawdown since its inception was -15.34%, which is greater than MMAX's maximum drawdown of -1.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAUG and MMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAUG	MMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.34%	-1.93%	-13.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.90%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.87%	0.00%	-2.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.89%	-0.11%	-2.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.31%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DAUG	MMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.53%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.68%	2.61%	+7.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.01%	2.61%	+5.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.36%	2.61%	+6.75%