GSEW vs. DMAY

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

GSEW (Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF) and DMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - GSEW tracks the Solactive US Large Cap Equal Weight Index while DMAY tracks the Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect May Series Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GSEW returned 8.39%/yr vs 6.75%/yr for DMAY. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GSEW charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DMAY.

Performance

GSEW vs. DMAY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSEW) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSEW achieves a 9.79% return, which is significantly higher than DMAY's 3.20% return.

GSEW

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 1.25%
• YTD: 9.79%
• 6M: 8.33%
• 1Y: 16.57%
• 3Y*: 17.13%
• 5Y*: 8.39%
• 10Y*: —

DMAY

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -0.56%
• YTD: 3.20%
• 6M: 3.06%
• 1Y: 9.84%
• 3Y*: 11.21%
• 5Y*: 6.75%
• 10Y*: —

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

GSEW vs. DMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GSEW Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	9.79%	11.97%	16.89%	17.80%	-17.54%	25.43%	39.18%
DMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May	3.20%	11.05%	12.82%	15.40%	-9.98%	6.14%	6.40%

Correlation

The correlation between GSEW and DMAY is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2020	0.83

The correlation between GSEW and DMAY shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.85 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GSEW vs. DMAY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GSEW	DMAY
Technology	21.5%	39.0%
Industrials	15.5%	7.8%
Financial Services	14.1%	11.1%
Healthcare	11.3%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	9.9%
Utilities	5.6%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	4.5%
Energy	4.6%	3.1%
Basic Materials	4.4%	1.7%
Real Estate	4.2%	1.8%
Communication Services	4.0%	10.6%

Return for Risk

GSEW vs. DMAY — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSEW

GSEW Risk / Return Rank: 45
GSEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
GSEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
GSEW Omega Ratio Rank: 39
GSEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
GSEW Martin Ratio Rank: 53

DMAY

DMAY Risk / Return Rank: 76
DMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
DMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 82
DMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
DMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

GSEW vs. DMAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSEW) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY). 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.

	GSEW	DMAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	1.98	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	2.88	-0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.43	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	2.96	-0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.17	16.35	-8.18

GSEW vs. DMAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSEW Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is lower than the DMAY Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSEW and DMAY, 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

GSEW vs. DMAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSEW drawdown since its inception was -38.65%, which is greater than DMAY's maximum drawdown of -13.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSEW and DMAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSEW	DMAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.65%	-13.90%	-24.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.72%	-3.36%	-4.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.18%	-12.38%	-5.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.74%	-13.90%	-11.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.55%	-1.47%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.86%	-2.23%	-3.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	0.61%	+1.42%

Volatility

GSEW vs. DMAY - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSEW) has a higher volatility of 3.84% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) at 2.26%. This indicates that GSEW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DMAY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSEW	DMAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.84%	2.26%	+1.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.46%	4.30%	+5.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.43%	5.08%	+7.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.96%	9.06%	+7.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.17%	8.43%	+10.74%

GSEW vs. DMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSEW has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DMAY's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSEW vs. DMAY - Dividend Comparison

GSEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, while DMAY has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GSEW Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	1.06%	1.52%	1.46%	1.64%	1.74%	1.34%	1.53%	1.66%	1.56%	0.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSEW and DMAY in my portfolio?

GSEW and DMAY have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSEW or DMAY?

GSEW has higher volatility (3.84%) compared to DMAY (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSEW dropped -38.65% vs DMAY's -13.90%.

Which ETF is better, GSEW or DMAY?

On 5-year performance, GSEW leads with 8.39% vs 6.75% for DMAY. On fees, GSEW is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, DMAY has been the lower-risk option at 2.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSEW or DMAY?

Over the 5-year period, GSEW has performed better with a 8.39% return vs 6.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSEW or DMAY?

GSEW is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DMAY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GSEW or DMAY?

GSEW has the higher dividend yield at 1.06%, compared with 0.00% for DMAY.

What is the main difference between GSEW and DMAY?

GSEW tracks Solactive US Large Cap Equal Weight Index, while DMAY tracks Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect May Series Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for GSEW and 0.85% for DMAY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.34), 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.