DFEB vs. RSBY

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

DFEB (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - February) and RSBY (Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFEB is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest, while RSBY is a Multistrategy fund actively managed by Return Stacked. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DFEB returned 15.29% vs 20.17% for RSBY. At a correlation of -0.18, they often move in opposite directions. DFEB charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.98%/yr for RSBY.

Performance

DFEB vs. RSBY - 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 Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF (RSBY). 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 lower than RSBY's 19.04% return.

DFEB

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

RSBY

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -1.29%
• YTD: 19.04%
• 6M: 15.93%
• 1Y: 20.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFEB vs. RSBY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DFEB FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - February	5.07%	11.79%	3.74%
RSBY Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF	19.04%	-12.98%	-7.90%

Correlation

The correlation between DFEB and RSBY is -0.29, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2024	-0.18

The correlation between DFEB and RSBY shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to -0.18 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DFEB vs. RSBY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFEB	RSBY
Technology	36.2%	53.7%
Financial Services	11.9%	0.2%
Communication Services	10.9%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	4.2%
Industrials	8.1%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.7%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.1%

Return for Risk

DFEB vs. RSBY — 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

RSBY

RSBY Risk / Return Rank: 51
RSBY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
RSBY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
RSBY Omega Ratio Rank: 51
RSBY Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
RSBY Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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. RSBY - 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 Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF (RSBY). 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	RSBY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.83	1.72	+1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.17	2.51	+1.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.30	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.76	2.55	+1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.61	5.96	+13.66
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. RSBY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFEB Sharpe Ratio is 2.83, which is higher than the RSBY Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFEB and RSBY, 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	RSBY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.83	1.72	+1.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.11	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.93	-0.19	+1.13

Drawdowns

DFEB vs. RSBY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFEB drawdown since its inception was -14.07%, smaller than the maximum RSBY drawdown of -23.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEB and RSBY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFEB	RSBY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.07%	-23.32%	+9.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.09%	-7.95%	+3.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.33%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.02%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-6.04%	+5.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.04%	-13.76%	+11.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	3.40%	-2.62%

Volatility

DFEB vs. RSBY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - February (DFEB) is 1.18%, while Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF (RSBY) has a volatility of 1.93%. This indicates that DFEB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RSBY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFEB	RSBY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.18%	1.93%	-0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.11%	8.51%	-4.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.46%	11.78%	-6.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.32%	13.53%	-6.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.96%	13.53%	-4.57%

DFEB vs. RSBY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFEB has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than RSBY's 0.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFEB vs. RSBY - Dividend Comparison

DFEB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RSBY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.74%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
DFEB FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - February	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RSBY Return Stacked Bonds & Futures Yield ETF	1.74%	2.07%	2.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFEB and RSBY in my portfolio?

DFEB and RSBY have a correlation of -0.29, 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 RSBY?

RSBY has higher volatility (1.93%) compared to DFEB (1.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEB dropped -14.07% vs RSBY's -23.32%.

Which ETF is better, DFEB or RSBY?

On 1-year performance, RSBY leads with 20.17% vs 15.29% 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 RSBY?

Over the 1-year period, RSBY has performed better with a 20.17% return vs 15.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFEB or RSBY?

DFEB is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for RSBY.

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

RSBY has the higher dividend yield at 1.74%, compared with 0.00% for DFEB.

What is the main difference between DFEB and RSBY?

DFEB is categorized as Defined Outcome, while RSBY is Multistrategy. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Return Stacked. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DFEB and 0.98% for RSBY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFEB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.83 vs 1.72), 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.