NELS vs. DMAY
NELS (Nelson Select ETF) and DMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. NELS is actively managed, while DMAY is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NELS charges 1.69%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DMAY.
Performance
NELS vs. DMAY - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NELS achieves a 10.77% return, which is significantly higher than DMAY's 3.95% return.
NELS
- 1D
- -0.15%
- 1M
- 1.26%
- YTD
- 10.77%
- 6M
- 10.11%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
DMAY
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- 0.16%
- YTD
- 3.95%
- 6M
- 4.08%
- 1Y
- 11.84%
- 3Y*
- 11.48%
- 5Y*
- 6.98%
- 10Y*
- —
NELS vs. DMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
NELS Nelson Select ETF | 10.77% | 1.83% |
DMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May | 3.95% | 2.27% |
Correlation
The correlation between NELS and DMAY is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 15, 2025 | 0.85 |
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Return for Risk
NELS vs. DMAY — Risk / Return Rank
NELS
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
DMAY
NELS vs. DMAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nelson Select ETF (NELS) 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.
| NELS | DMAY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.53 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 3.57 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 20.12 | — |
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Drawdowns
NELS vs. DMAY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NELS drawdown since its inception was -9.30%, smaller than the maximum DMAY drawdown of -13.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NELS and DMAY.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NELS | DMAY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -9.30% | -13.90% | +4.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -3.36% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -12.38% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -13.90% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.75% | -0.75% | -1.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.65% | -2.23% | +0.58% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 0.59% | — |
Volatility
NELS vs. DMAY - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| NELS | DMAY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 2.19% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 4.26% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.70% | 5.06% | +9.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.70% | 9.06% | +5.64% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.70% | 8.43% | +6.27% |
NELS vs. DMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison
NELS has a 1.69% expense ratio, which is higher than DMAY's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
NELS vs. DMAY - Dividend Comparison
Neither NELS nor DMAY has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
NELS and DMAY have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, DMAY is cheaper at 0.85% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
DMAY is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.69% for NELS.
NELS and DMAY have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
They also come from different issuers: Nelson Capital Management and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.69% for NELS and 0.85% for DMAY.
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