DFEB vs. BGLD

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

DFEB (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - February) and BGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFEB returned 8.07%/yr vs 10.84%/yr for BGLD. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFEB charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BGLD.

Performance

DFEB vs. BGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - February (DFEB) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFEB achieves a 5.07% return, which is significantly higher than BGLD's -1.29% return.

DFEB

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 5.07%
• 6M: 5.87%
• 1Y: 15.29%
• 3Y*: 13.15%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: —

BGLD

• 1D: -2.05%
• 1M: -2.51%
• YTD: -1.29%
• 6M: -0.81%
• 1Y: 11.33%
• 3Y*: 18.58%
• 5Y*: 10.84%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFEB vs. BGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFEB FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - February	5.07%	11.79%	13.87%	12.47%	-5.41%	8.23%
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	-1.29%	33.03%	21.80%	13.24%	-2.42%	-5.57%

Correlation

The correlation between DFEB and BGLD is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2021	0.13

Return for Risk

DFEB vs. BGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFEB

DFEB Risk / Return Rank: 88
DFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
DFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
DFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 92
DFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
DFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 90

BGLD

BGLD Risk / Return Rank: 26
BGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
BGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
BGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 29
BGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
BGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

DFEB vs. BGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - February (DFEB) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). 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.

	DFEB	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.83	0.94	+1.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.17	1.31	+2.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.19	+0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.76	1.02	+2.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.61	3.19	+16.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFEB vs. BGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFEB Sharpe Ratio is 2.83, which is higher than the BGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFEB and BGLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFEB	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.83	0.94	+1.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.11	1.09	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.93	1.01	-0.08

Drawdowns

DFEB vs. BGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFEB drawdown since its inception was -14.07%, smaller than the maximum BGLD drawdown of -16.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEB and BGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFEB	BGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.07%	-16.19%	+2.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.09%	-11.11%	+7.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.33%	-11.11%	+2.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.02%	-15.52%	+5.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-8.70%	+7.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.04%	-3.65%	+1.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	3.55%	-2.77%

Volatility

DFEB vs. BGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - February (DFEB) is 1.18%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) has a volatility of 2.74%. This indicates that DFEB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFEB	BGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.18%	2.74%	-1.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.11%	10.22%	-6.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.46%	12.09%	-6.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.32%	10.01%	-2.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.96%	9.93%	-0.97%

DFEB vs. BGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFEB has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BGLD's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFEB vs. BGLD - Dividend Comparison

DFEB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 44.90%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	44.90%	44.32%	25.04%	10.49%	0.40%
DFEB FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - February	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFEB and BGLD in my portfolio?

DFEB and BGLD have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFEB or BGLD?

BGLD has higher volatility (2.74%) compared to DFEB (1.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEB dropped -14.07% vs BGLD's -16.19%.

Which ETF is better, DFEB or BGLD?

On 5-year performance, BGLD leads with 10.84% vs 8.07% for DFEB. On fees, DFEB is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, DFEB has been the lower-risk option at 1.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFEB or BGLD?

Over the 5-year period, BGLD has performed better with a 10.84% return vs 8.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFEB or BGLD?

DFEB is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.91% for BGLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFEB or BGLD?

BGLD has the higher dividend yield at 44.90%, compared with 0.00% for DFEB.

What is the main difference between DFEB and BGLD?

Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DFEB and 0.91% for BGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFEB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.83 vs 0.94), 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.