DJUN vs. RAFE

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

DJUN (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - DJUN tracks the Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect June Series Index while RAFE tracks the RAFI ESG US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DJUN returned 7.77%/yr vs 11.13%/yr for RAFE. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DJUN charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

DJUN vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June (DJUN) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DJUN achieves a 3.06% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 13.50% return.

DJUN

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -0.47%
• YTD: 3.06%
• 6M: 2.92%
• 1Y: 9.22%
• 3Y*: 11.06%
• 5Y*: 7.77%
• 10Y*: —

RAFE

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 2.27%
• YTD: 13.50%
• 6M: 12.30%
• 1Y: 28.30%
• 3Y*: 19.09%
• 5Y*: 11.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

DJUN vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DJUN FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June	3.06%	9.38%	13.92%	17.58%	-6.30%	6.27%	6.78%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	13.50%	17.60%	13.81%	18.80%	-13.76%	30.16%	21.91%

Correlation

The correlation between DJUN and RAFE is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2020	0.82

The correlation between DJUN and RAFE shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.86 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DJUN vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

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

DJUN

DJUN Risk / Return Rank: 80
DJUN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
DJUN Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
DJUN Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DJUN Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
DJUN Martin Ratio Rank: 90

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 84
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 83
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

DJUN vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June (DJUN) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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.

	DJUN	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	2.48	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	3.46	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.44	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	3.81	-0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.07	14.74	+3.33

DJUN vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DJUN Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DJUN and RAFE, 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

DJUN vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DJUN drawdown since its inception was -11.96%, smaller than the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DJUN and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	DJUN	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.96%	-35.74%	+23.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.15%	-7.46%	+4.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.96%	-16.36%	+4.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.96%	-24.28%	+12.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.93%	-1.21%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.58%	-6.17%	+4.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.51%	1.93%	-1.42%

Volatility

DJUN vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June (DJUN) is 0.70%, while PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) has a volatility of 3.71%. This indicates that DJUN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RAFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DJUN	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.70%	3.71%	-3.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.58%	8.70%	-5.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.51%	11.51%	-7.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.52%	15.10%	-6.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.02%	19.39%	-11.37%

DJUN vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

DJUN has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

DJUN vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

DJUN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DJUN FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.50%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DJUN and RAFE in my portfolio?

DJUN and RAFE have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DJUN or RAFE?

RAFE has higher volatility (3.71%) compared to DJUN (0.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DJUN dropped -11.96% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, DJUN or RAFE?

On 5-year performance, RAFE leads with 11.13% vs 7.77% for DJUN. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, DJUN has been the lower-risk option at 0.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DJUN or RAFE?

Over the 5-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 11.13% return vs 7.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DJUN or RAFE?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DJUN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DJUN or RAFE?

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 0.00% for DJUN.

What is the main difference between DJUN and RAFE?

DJUN tracks Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect June Series Index, while RAFE tracks RAFI ESG US Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DJUN and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 2.10), 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.