DMAY vs. APXM

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

DMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May) and APXM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April) are both Defined Outcome funds from First Trust. DMAY is passively managed, while APXM is actively managed. Over the past year, DMAY returned 9.79% vs 4.88% for APXM. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

DMAY vs. APXM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DMAY achieves a 4.38% return, which is significantly higher than APXM's 2.37% return.

DMAY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.72%
• 6M: 3.83%
• YTD: 4.38%
• 1Y: 9.79%
• 3Y*: 11.02%
• 5Y*: 6.88%
• 10Y*: —

APXM

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.49%
• 6M: 2.19%
• YTD: 2.37%
• 1Y: 4.88%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DMAY vs. APXM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May	4.38%	20.06%
APXM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April	2.37%	5.24%

Correlation

The correlation between DMAY and APXM is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2025	0.73

The correlation between DMAY and APXM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DMAY vs. APXM — Risk / Return Rank

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

DMAY

DMAY Risk / Return Rank: 80
DMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
DMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 85
DMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 89

APXM

APXM Risk / Return Rank: 98
APXM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
APXM Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
APXM Omega Ratio Rank: 98
APXM Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
APXM Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

DMAY vs. APXM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April (APXM). 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.

	DMAY	APXM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	3.95	-2.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	6.44	-3.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	2.07	-0.67
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	8.19	-5.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.47	49.64	-34.17

DMAY vs. APXM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DMAY Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is lower than the APXM Sharpe Ratio of 3.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DMAY and APXM, 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

DMAY vs. APXM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DMAY drawdown since its inception was -13.90%, which is greater than APXM's maximum drawdown of -0.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DMAY and APXM.

Drawdown Indicators

	DMAY	APXM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.90%	-0.60%	-13.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.36%	-0.60%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.38%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-0.03%	-0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.22%	-0.05%	-2.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.64%	0.10%	+0.54%

Volatility

DMAY vs. APXM - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) has a higher volatility of 2.32% compared to FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April (APXM) at 0.67%. This indicates that DMAY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than APXM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DMAY	APXM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.32%	0.67%	+1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.56%	1.10%	+3.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.26%	1.24%	+4.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.09%	1.36%	+7.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.42%	1.36%	+7.06%

DMAY vs. APXM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DMAY and APXM have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

DMAY vs. APXM - Dividend Comparison

Neither DMAY nor APXM has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DMAY and APXM in my portfolio?

DMAY and APXM have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DMAY or APXM?

DMAY has higher volatility (2.32%) compared to APXM (0.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DMAY dropped -13.90% vs APXM's -0.60%.

Which ETF is better, DMAY or APXM?

On 1-year performance, DMAY leads with 9.79% vs 4.88% for APXM. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, APXM has been the lower-risk option at 0.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DMAY or APXM?

Over the 1-year period, DMAY has performed better with a 9.79% return vs 4.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DMAY or APXM?

DMAY and APXM have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DMAY or APXM?

DMAY and APXM have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APXM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.95 vs 1.89), 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.