DSEP vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both Options Trading funds. DSEP is passively managed, while CAOS is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, DSEP returned 12.47%/yr vs 4.26%/yr for CAOS. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DSEP charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

DSEP vs. CAOS - 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 Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSEP achieves a 5.26% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.82% return.

DSEP

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

CAOS

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 0.82%
• 6M: 0.69%
• 1Y: 1.88%
• 3Y*: 4.26%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DSEP vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September	5.26%	10.75%	11.29%	15.09%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.82%	2.55%	5.33%	7.97%

Correlation

The correlation between DSEP and CAOS is -0.35, 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	-0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2023	0.12

The correlation between DSEP and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.35 (1 year) to 0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DSEP vs. CAOS — 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

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 40
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 39
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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. CAOS - 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 Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). 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	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	1.24	+1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.60	1.98	+1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.26	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	2.49	+0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.66	6.22	+9.44
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. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is higher than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSEP and CAOS, 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	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	1.24	+1.21
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	1.21	-0.06

Drawdowns

DSEP vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSEP drawdown since its inception was -11.78%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSEP and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSEP	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.78%	-3.60%	-8.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.54%	-0.76%	-3.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.93%	-3.60%	-6.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.78%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-1.07%	+0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.85%	-0.90%	-0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	0.30%	+0.62%

Volatility

DSEP vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September (DSEP) has a higher volatility of 0.93% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.26%. This indicates that DSEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CAOS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSEP	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.93%	0.26%	+0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.55%	1.03%	+3.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.88%	1.52%	+4.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.74%	4.26%	+3.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.47%	4.26%	+3.21%

DSEP vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSEP has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSEP vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

Neither DSEP nor CAOS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSEP and CAOS in my portfolio?

DSEP and CAOS have a correlation of -0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DSEP or CAOS?

DSEP has higher volatility (0.93%) compared to CAOS (0.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSEP dropped -11.78% vs CAOS's -3.60%.

Which ETF is better, DSEP or CAOS?

On 3-year performance, DSEP leads with 12.47% vs 4.26% for CAOS. On fees, CAOS is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DSEP or CAOS?

Over the 3-year period, DSEP has performed better with a 12.47% return vs 4.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DSEP or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DSEP.

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

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

What is the main difference between DSEP and CAOS?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DSEP and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DSEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.24), 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.