DSEP vs. BUFD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DSEP is a Options Trading fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect September Series Index, while BUFD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. DSEP is passively managed, while BUFD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, DSEP returned 8.02%/yr vs 7.62%/yr for BUFD. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DSEP charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFD.

Performance

DSEP vs. BUFD - 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 FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DSEP having a 5.26% return and BUFD slightly lower at 5.08%.

DSEP

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

BUFD

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 5.08%
• 6M: 5.68%
• 1Y: 14.40%
• 3Y*: 12.09%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: —

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

DSEP vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September	5.26%	10.75%	11.29%	18.87%	-7.45%	5.91%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	5.08%	10.66%	12.42%	15.40%	-7.70%	5.97%

Correlation

The correlation between DSEP and BUFD is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2021	0.86

The correlation between DSEP and BUFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DSEP vs. BUFD — 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

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFD Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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. BUFD - 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 FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). 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	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	2.79	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.60	4.32	-0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.58	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	4.21	-1.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.66	22.97	-7.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DSEP vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSEP and BUFD, 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

	DSEP	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	2.79	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.04	0.99	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.14	1.00	+0.14

Drawdowns

DSEP vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSEP drawdown since its inception was -11.78%, which is greater than BUFD's maximum drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSEP and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSEP	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.78%	-10.75%	-1.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.54%	-3.43%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.93%	-10.15%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.78%	-10.75%	-1.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.15%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.85%	-1.97%	+0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	0.63%	+0.29%

Volatility

DSEP vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September (DSEP) has a higher volatility of 0.93% compared to FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) at 0.79%. This indicates that DSEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSEP	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.93%	0.79%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.55%	3.94%	+0.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.88%	5.19%	+0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.74%	7.73%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.47%	7.55%	-0.08%

DSEP vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSEP has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSEP vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

Neither DSEP nor BUFD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSEP and BUFD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, DSEP and BUFD move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DSEP or BUFD?

DSEP has higher volatility (0.93%) compared to BUFD (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSEP dropped -11.78% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, DSEP or BUFD?

On 5-year performance, DSEP leads with 8.02% vs 7.62% for BUFD. On fees, DSEP is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, BUFD has been the lower-risk option at 0.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DSEP or BUFD?

Over the 5-year period, DSEP has performed better with a 8.02% return vs 7.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DSEP or BUFD?

DSEP is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFD.

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

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

What is the main difference between DSEP and BUFD?

DSEP is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFD is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DSEP and 0.95% for BUFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.45), 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.