GSEP vs. RDVI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – September) and RDVI (FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GSEP is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while RDVI is a Derivative Income fund tracking the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers. GSEP is actively managed, while RDVI is passively managed. Over the past year, GSEP returned 13.92% vs 24.98% for RDVI. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GSEP charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for RDVI.

Performance

GSEP vs. RDVI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – September (GSEP) and FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSEP achieves a 5.39% return, which is significantly lower than RDVI's 9.43% return.

GSEP

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 1.97%
• YTD: 5.39%
• 6M: 5.72%
• 1Y: 13.92%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

RDVI

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 2.77%
• YTD: 9.43%
• 6M: 10.61%
• 1Y: 24.98%
• 3Y*: 18.62%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GSEP vs. RDVI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – September	5.39%	10.56%	10.85%	4.70%
RDVI FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	9.43%	17.93%	14.56%	9.54%

Correlation

The correlation between GSEP and RDVI is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 19, 2023	0.71

The correlation between GSEP and RDVI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

GSEP vs. RDVI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GSEP	RDVI
Technology	36.2%	17.6%
Financial Services	11.9%	36.5%
Communication Services	10.9%	5.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.1%
Industrials	8.1%	12.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.1%
Energy	3.5%	1.4%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

GSEP vs. RDVI — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSEP

GSEP Risk / Return Rank: 74
GSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
GSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
GSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 80
GSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
GSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 81

RDVI

RDVI Risk / Return Rank: 58
RDVI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
RDVI Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
RDVI Omega Ratio Rank: 54
RDVI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
RDVI Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

GSEP vs. RDVI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – September (GSEP) and FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI). 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.

	GSEP	RDVI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	1.89	+0.46
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	2.74	+0.62
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.34	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	2.96	+0.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.98	12.48	+3.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSEP vs. RDVI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the RDVI Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSEP and RDVI, 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

	GSEP	RDVI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	1.89	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.56	1.19	+0.38

Drawdowns

GSEP vs. RDVI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSEP drawdown since its inception was -10.09%, smaller than the maximum RDVI drawdown of -18.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSEP and RDVI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSEP	RDVI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.09%	-18.35%	+8.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.44%	-8.48%	+4.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.43%	+0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.74%	-3.17%	+2.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	2.01%	-1.14%

Volatility

GSEP vs. RDVI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – September (GSEP) is 0.95%, while FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI) has a volatility of 3.66%. This indicates that GSEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RDVI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSEP	RDVI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.95%	3.66%	-2.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.74%	10.50%	-5.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.96%	13.27%	-7.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.59%	16.91%	-9.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.59%	16.91%	-9.32%

GSEP vs. RDVI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSEP has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than RDVI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSEP vs. RDVI - Dividend Comparison

GSEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RDVI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.94%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
GSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RDVI FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	7.94%	8.10%	8.62%	8.45%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSEP and RDVI in my portfolio?

GSEP and RDVI have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSEP or RDVI?

RDVI has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to GSEP (0.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSEP dropped -10.09% vs RDVI's -18.35%.

Which ETF is better, GSEP or RDVI?

On 1-year performance, RDVI leads with 24.98% vs 13.92% for GSEP. On fees, RDVI is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, GSEP has been the lower-risk option at 0.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSEP or RDVI?

Over the 1-year period, RDVI has performed better with a 24.98% return vs 13.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSEP or RDVI?

RDVI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for GSEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GSEP or RDVI?

RDVI has the higher dividend yield at 7.94%, compared with 0.00% for GSEP.

What is the main difference between GSEP and RDVI?

GSEP is categorized as Options Trading, while RDVI is Derivative Income. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GSEP and 0.75% for RDVI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.89), 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.