DSEP vs. APRQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September) and APRQ (Innovator Premium Income 40 Barrier ETF - April) are both Options Trading funds. DSEP is passively managed, while APRQ is actively managed. DSEP charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for APRQ.

Performance

DSEP vs. APRQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September (DSEP) and Innovator Premium Income 40 Barrier ETF - April (APRQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

DSEP

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: 5.26%
• 6M: 5.65%
• 1Y: 14.32%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 8.02%
• 10Y*: —

APRQ

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DSEP vs. APRQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
DSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September	4.42%
APRQ Innovator Premium Income 40 Barrier ETF - April	0.00%

Return for Risk

DSEP vs. APRQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

DSEP

DSEP Risk / Return Rank: 77
DSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
DSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 83
DSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
DSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

DSEP vs. APRQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September (DSEP) and Innovator Premium Income 40 Barrier ETF - April (APRQ). 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.

	DSEP	APRQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.60	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.66	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DSEP	APRQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.04	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.14	—	—

Drawdowns

DSEP vs. APRQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSEP drawdown since its inception was -11.78%, which is greater than APRQ's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSEP and APRQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSEP	APRQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.78%	0.00%	-11.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.54%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.93%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.78%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	0.00%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.85%	0.00%	-1.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DSEP	APRQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.93%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.55%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.88%	0.00%	+5.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.74%	0.00%	+7.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.47%	0.00%	+7.47%

DSEP vs. APRQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSEP has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than APRQ's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSEP vs. APRQ - Dividend Comparison

Neither DSEP nor APRQ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, DSEP or APRQ?

On fees, APRQ is cheaper at 0.79% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DSEP or APRQ?

APRQ is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DSEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DSEP or APRQ?

DSEP and APRQ have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DSEP and APRQ?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DSEP and 0.79% for APRQ.