DSEP vs. DIVN

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September) and DIVN (Horizon Dividend Income 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 DIVN is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Horizon. DSEP is passively managed, while DIVN is actively managed. Over the past year, DSEP returned 12.19% vs 22.54% for DIVN. Their 0.40 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. DSEP charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for DIVN.

Performance

DSEP vs. DIVN - 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 Horizon Dividend Income ETF (DIVN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSEP achieves a 6.65% return, which is significantly lower than DIVN's 14.80% return.

DSEP

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 0.92%
• 6M: 5.86%
• YTD: 6.65%
• 1Y: 12.19%
• 3Y*: 11.29%
• 5Y*: 8.21%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.57%

DIVN

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.14%
• 6M: 8.07%
• YTD: 14.80%
• 1Y: 22.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 21.81%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DIVN Horizon Dividend Income ETF	$10.90M	$5.41M	$2.61M
DSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September	$390.97K	$377.99K	$486.45K

DSEP vs. DIVN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September	6.65%	7.00%
DIVN Horizon Dividend Income ETF	14.80%	8.11%

Correlation

The correlation between DSEP and DIVN is 0.40, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.40

Return for Risk

DSEP vs. DIVN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DSEP

DSEP Risk / Return Rank: 81
DSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
DSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
DSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 84
DSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 85

DIVN

DIVN Risk / Return Rank: 88
DIVN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
DIVN Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
DIVN Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DIVN Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
DIVN Martin Ratio Rank: 84

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DSEP vs. DIVN - 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 Horizon Dividend Income ETF (DIVN). 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.

	DSEP	DIVN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	2.19	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	3.36	-0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.39	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	4.08	-1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.12	11.49	+0.63

DSEP vs. DIVN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSEP Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the DIVN Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSEP and DIVN, 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

DSEP vs. DIVN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSEP drawdown since its inception was -11.78%, which is greater than DIVN's maximum drawdown of -5.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSEP and DIVN.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSEP	DIVN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.78%	-5.55%	-6.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.54%	-5.55%	+1.01%
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	0.00%	-1.39%	+1.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.81%	-1.35%	-0.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	1.97%	-1.04%

Volatility

DSEP vs. DIVN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September (DSEP) is 1.51%, while Horizon Dividend Income ETF (DIVN) has a volatility of 3.15%. This indicates that DSEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DIVN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSEP	DIVN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.51%	3.15%	-1.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.80%	7.55%	-2.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.03%	10.52%	-4.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.81%	10.53%	-2.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.44%	10.53%	-3.09%

DSEP vs. DIVN - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSEP has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than DIVN's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSEP vs. DIVN - Dividend Comparison

DSEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DIVN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.70%.

Position	TTM	2025
DIVN Horizon Dividend Income ETF	3.70%	1.47%
DSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSEP and DIVN in my portfolio?

DSEP and DIVN have a correlation of 0.40, 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 DIVN?

DIVN has higher volatility (3.15%) compared to DSEP (1.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSEP dropped -11.78% vs DIVN's -5.55%.

Which ETF is better, DSEP or DIVN?

On 1-year performance, DIVN leads with 22.54% vs 12.19% for DSEP. On fees, DIVN is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, DSEP has been the lower-risk option at 1.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DSEP or DIVN?

Over the 1-year period, DIVN has performed better with a 22.54% return vs 12.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DSEP or DIVN?

DIVN is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DSEP.

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

DIVN has the higher dividend yield at 3.70%, compared with 0.00% for DSEP.

What is the main difference between DSEP and DIVN?

DSEP is categorized as Options Trading, while DIVN is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Horizon. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DSEP and 0.70% for DIVN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DIVN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.88), 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.