FDND vs. DAUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FDND (FT Vest Dow Jones Internet & Target Income ETF) and DAUG (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August) are both exchange-traded funds - FDND is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by FT Vest, while DAUG is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500. FDND is actively managed, while DAUG is passively managed. Over the past year, FDND returned 7.37% vs 14.84% for DAUG. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDND charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DAUG.

Performance

FDND vs. DAUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Dow Jones Internet & Target Income ETF (FDND) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDND achieves a 2.42% return, which is significantly lower than DAUG's 5.06% return.

FDND

• 1D: -1.99%
• 1M: 3.57%
• YTD: 2.42%
• 6M: 1.71%
• 1Y: 7.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DAUG

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 1.69%
• YTD: 5.06%
• 6M: 5.61%
• 1Y: 14.84%
• 3Y*: 12.28%
• 5Y*: 6.34%
• 10Y*: —

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

FDND vs. DAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FDND FT Vest Dow Jones Internet & Target Income ETF	2.42%	9.69%	15.85%
DAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August	5.06%	11.75%	7.45%

Correlation

The correlation between FDND and DAUG is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2024	0.71

The correlation between FDND and DAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FDND vs. DAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDND

FDND Risk / Return Rank: 14
FDND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
FDND Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
FDND Omega Ratio Rank: 14
FDND Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
FDND Martin Ratio Rank: 13

DAUG

DAUG Risk / Return Rank: 82
DAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
DAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
DAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
DAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

FDND vs. DAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Dow Jones Internet & Target Income ETF (FDND) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG). 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.

	FDND	DAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.40	2.63	-2.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.66	3.86	-3.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.54	-0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.36	3.41	-3.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.88	18.04	-17.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDND vs. DAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDND Sharpe Ratio is 0.40, which is lower than the DAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDND and DAUG, 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

	FDND	DAUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40	2.63	-2.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.74	-0.14

Drawdowns

FDND vs. DAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDND drawdown since its inception was -24.12%, which is greater than DAUG's maximum drawdown of -15.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDND and DAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDND	DAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.12%	-15.34%	-8.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.49%	-4.37%	-16.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.53%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.24%	-0.21%	-4.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.67%	-2.82%	-2.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.39%	0.82%	+7.57%

Volatility

FDND vs. DAUG - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Dow Jones Internet & Target Income ETF (FDND) has a higher volatility of 5.29% compared to FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) at 0.77%. This indicates that FDND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DAUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDND	DAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.29%	0.77%	+4.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.07%	4.37%	+9.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.28%	5.68%	+12.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.40%	8.05%	+13.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.40%	9.27%	+12.13%

FDND vs. DAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDND has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than DAUG's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDND vs. DAUG - Dividend Comparison

FDND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.98%, while DAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
DAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FDND FT Vest Dow Jones Internet & Target Income ETF	7.98%	8.11%	5.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDND and DAUG in my portfolio?

FDND and DAUG have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDND or DAUG?

FDND has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to DAUG (0.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDND dropped -24.12% vs DAUG's -15.34%.

Which ETF is better, FDND or DAUG?

On 1-year performance, DAUG leads with 14.84% vs 7.37% for FDND. On fees, FDND is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, DAUG has been the lower-risk option at 0.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDND or DAUG?

Over the 1-year period, DAUG has performed better with a 14.84% return vs 7.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDND or DAUG?

FDND is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DAUG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FDND or DAUG?

FDND has the higher dividend yield at 7.98%, compared with 0.00% for DAUG.

What is the main difference between FDND and DAUG?

FDND is categorized as Technology Equities, while DAUG is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FDND and 0.85% for DAUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 0.40), 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.