DSEP vs. KQQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September) and KQQQ (Kurv Technology Titans Select 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 KQQQ is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Kurv. DSEP is passively managed, while KQQQ is actively managed. Over the past year, DSEP returned 13.08% vs 34.81% for KQQQ. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DSEP charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for KQQQ.

Performance

DSEP vs. KQQQ - 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 Kurv Technology Titans Select ETF (KQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSEP achieves a 4.88% return, which is significantly lower than KQQQ's 14.14% return.

DSEP

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 4.88%
• 6M: 4.56%
• 1Y: 13.08%
• 3Y*: 11.80%
• 5Y*: 7.91%
• 10Y*: —

KQQQ

• 1D: -2.44%
• 1M: -1.70%
• YTD: 14.14%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 34.81%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DSEP vs. KQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September	4.88%	10.75%	3.13%
KQQQ Kurv Technology Titans Select ETF	14.14%	16.64%	11.50%

Correlation

The correlation between DSEP and KQQQ is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2024	0.82

The correlation between DSEP and KQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DSEP vs. KQQQ — 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: 77
DSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
DSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 82
DSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
DSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 80

KQQQ

KQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 48
KQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
KQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
KQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 51
KQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
KQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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. KQQQ - 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 Kurv Technology Titans Select ETF (KQQQ). 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	KQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	1.80	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	2.42	+0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.31	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	2.02	+0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.18	6.56	+7.62

DSEP vs. KQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the KQQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSEP and KQQQ, 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. KQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSEP drawdown since its inception was -11.78%, smaller than the maximum KQQQ drawdown of -26.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSEP and KQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSEP	KQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.78%	-26.15%	+14.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.54%	-17.30%	+12.76%
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	-0.67%	-5.22%	+4.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.84%	-4.69%	+2.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	5.32%	-4.40%

Volatility

DSEP vs. KQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September (DSEP) is 1.77%, while Kurv Technology Titans Select ETF (KQQQ) has a volatility of 8.05%. This indicates that DSEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSEP	KQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.77%	8.05%	-6.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.76%	15.79%	-11.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.93%	19.45%	-13.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.78%	23.71%	-15.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.47%	23.71%	-16.24%

DSEP vs. KQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSEP has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than KQQQ's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSEP vs. KQQQ - Dividend Comparison

DSEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.33%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
DSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
KQQQ Kurv Technology Titans Select ETF	14.33%	12.01%	2.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSEP and KQQQ in my portfolio?

DSEP and KQQQ have a correlation of 0.84, 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 KQQQ?

KQQQ has higher volatility (8.05%) compared to DSEP (1.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSEP dropped -11.78% vs KQQQ's -26.15%.

Which ETF is better, DSEP or KQQQ?

On 1-year performance, KQQQ leads with 34.81% vs 13.08% for DSEP. On fees, DSEP is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, DSEP has been the lower-risk option at 1.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DSEP or KQQQ?

Over the 1-year period, KQQQ has performed better with a 34.81% return vs 13.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DSEP or KQQQ?

DSEP is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for KQQQ.

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

KQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 14.33%, compared with 0.00% for DSEP.

What is the main difference between DSEP and KQQQ?

DSEP is categorized as Options Trading, while KQQQ is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Kurv. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DSEP and 0.99% for KQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DSEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 1.80), 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.