HCMT vs. DMAY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HCMT (Direxion HCM Tactical Enhanced U.S. Equity Strategy ETF) and DMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. HCMT is actively managed, while DMAY is passively managed. Over the past year, HCMT returned 43.14% vs 12.37% for DMAY. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HCMT charges 1.17%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DMAY.

Performance

HCMT vs. DMAY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion HCM Tactical Enhanced U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (HCMT) 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, HCMT achieves a 11.17% return, which is significantly higher than DMAY's 4.42% return.

HCMT

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 14.82%
• YTD: 11.17%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 43.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DMAY

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 4.42%
• 6M: 5.19%
• 1Y: 12.37%
• 3Y*: 11.96%
• 5Y*: 7.16%
• 10Y*: —

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

HCMT vs. DMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HCMT Direxion HCM Tactical Enhanced U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	11.17%	7.39%	39.14%	5.67%
DMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May	4.42%	11.05%	12.82%	6.16%

Correlation

The correlation between HCMT and DMAY is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2023	0.84

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

HCMT vs. DMAY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HCMT	DMAY
Technology	12.9%	36.2%
Financial Services	3.8%	11.9%
Communication Services	3.6%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	3.3%	10.1%
Healthcare	2.8%	8.4%
Industrials	2.6%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	4.9%
Energy	1.1%	3.5%
Utilities	0.9%	2.3%
Real Estate	0.6%	1.9%
Basic Materials	0.6%	1.8%

Return for Risk

HCMT vs. DMAY — Risk / Return Rank

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

HCMT

HCMT Risk / Return Rank: 49
HCMT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
HCMT Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
HCMT Omega Ratio Rank: 48
HCMT Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
HCMT Martin Ratio Rank: 44

DMAY

DMAY Risk / Return Rank: 85
DMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
DMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
DMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 91
DMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

HCMT vs. DMAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion HCM Tactical Enhanced U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (HCMT) 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.

	HCMT	DMAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	2.65	-0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	4.00	-1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.60	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	3.73	-0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.19	22.76	-15.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HCMT vs. DMAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HCMT Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is lower than the DMAY Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HCMT 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HCMT	DMAY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	2.65	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.88	-0.13

Drawdowns

HCMT vs. DMAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HCMT drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, which is greater than DMAY's maximum drawdown of -13.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCMT and DMAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	HCMT	DMAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-13.90%	-22.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.27%	-3.36%	-11.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.38%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.89%	-0.30%	-0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.24%	-2.24%	-6.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.01%	0.55%	+5.46%

Volatility

HCMT vs. DMAY - Volatility Comparison

Direxion HCM Tactical Enhanced U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (HCMT) has a higher volatility of 5.80% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) at 0.84%. This indicates that HCMT'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

	HCMT	DMAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.80%	0.84%	+4.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.58%	3.74%	+12.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.21%	4.73%	+19.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.48%	9.02%	+19.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.48%	8.43%	+20.05%

HCMT vs. DMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

HCMT has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is higher than DMAY's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

HCMT vs. DMAY - Dividend Comparison

HCMT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, while DMAY has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
DMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HCMT Direxion HCM Tactical Enhanced U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	0.38%	0.43%	2.75%	0.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HCMT and DMAY in my portfolio?

HCMT and DMAY have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HCMT or DMAY?

HCMT has higher volatility (5.80%) compared to DMAY (0.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCMT dropped -36.26% vs DMAY's -13.90%.

Which ETF is better, HCMT or DMAY?

On 1-year performance, HCMT leads with 43.14% vs 12.37% for DMAY. On fees, DMAY is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, DMAY has been the lower-risk option at 0.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HCMT or DMAY?

Over the 1-year period, HCMT has performed better with a 43.14% return vs 12.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HCMT or DMAY?

DMAY is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.17% for HCMT.

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

HCMT has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.00% for DMAY.

What is the main difference between HCMT and DMAY?

They also come from different issuers: Direxion and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.17% for HCMT and 0.85% for DMAY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 1.79), 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.