PTNQ vs. DMAY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PTNQ (Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF) and DMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - PTNQ tracks the Pacer NASDAQ-100 Trendpilot 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, PTNQ returned 11.75%/yr vs 7.21%/yr for DMAY. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PTNQ charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DMAY.

Performance

PTNQ vs. DMAY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) 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, PTNQ achieves a 13.51% return, which is significantly higher than DMAY's 4.64% return.

PTNQ

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 8.66%
• YTD: 13.51%
• 6M: 12.12%
• 1Y: 31.85%
• 3Y*: 15.29%
• 5Y*: 11.75%
• 10Y*: 16.14%

DMAY

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.46%
• YTD: 4.64%
• 6M: 5.44%
• 1Y: 12.58%
• 3Y*: 12.08%
• 5Y*: 7.21%
• 10Y*: —

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

PTNQ vs. DMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PTNQ Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF	13.51%	7.18%	15.47%	34.65%	-16.00%	13.16%	32.71%
DMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May	4.64%	11.05%	12.82%	15.40%	-9.98%	6.14%	6.40%

Correlation

The correlation between PTNQ and DMAY is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2020	0.76

The correlation between PTNQ and DMAY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

PTNQ vs. DMAY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PTNQ	DMAY
Technology	53.2%	36.2%
Communication Services	16.1%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	12.9%	10.1%
Healthcare	5.3%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.9%
Industrials	4.3%	8.1%
Utilities	1.4%	2.3%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.8%
Energy	0.5%	3.5%
Financial Services	0.3%	11.9%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.9%

Return for Risk

PTNQ vs. DMAY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTNQ

PTNQ Risk / Return Rank: 58
PTNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
PTNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
PTNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PTNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
PTNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 54

DMAY

DMAY Risk / Return Rank: 87
DMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 92
DMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
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.

PTNQ vs. DMAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) 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.

	PTNQ	DMAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.70	-0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	4.06	-1.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.61	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	3.79	-1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.24	23.15	-13.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTNQ vs. DMAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTNQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the DMAY Sharpe Ratio of 2.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTNQ 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

	PTNQ	DMAY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.70	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.80	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.88	-0.07

Drawdowns

PTNQ vs. DMAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTNQ drawdown since its inception was -28.07%, which is greater than DMAY's maximum drawdown of -13.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTNQ and DMAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTNQ	DMAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.07%	-13.90%	-14.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.76%	-3.36%	-8.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.19%	-12.38%	-1.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.47%	-13.90%	-4.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-0.08%	-0.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.69%	-2.24%	-3.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.46%	0.55%	+2.91%

Volatility

PTNQ vs. DMAY - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) has a higher volatility of 4.64% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) at 0.85%. This indicates that PTNQ'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

	PTNQ	DMAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.64%	0.85%	+3.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.47%	3.74%	+7.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.56%	4.73%	+10.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.89%	9.02%	+3.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.37%	8.42%	+7.95%

PTNQ vs. DMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTNQ has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than DMAY's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTNQ vs. DMAY - Dividend Comparison

PTNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, while DMAY has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
PTNQ Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF	0.78%	0.88%	1.96%	1.47%	0.62%	0.00%	0.16%	0.44%	0.45%	0.32%	0.30%	0.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTNQ and DMAY in my portfolio?

PTNQ and DMAY have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTNQ or DMAY?

PTNQ has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to DMAY (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTNQ dropped -28.07% vs DMAY's -13.90%.

Which ETF is better, PTNQ or DMAY?

On 5-year performance, PTNQ leads with 11.75% vs 7.21% for DMAY. On fees, PTNQ is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, DMAY has been the lower-risk option at 0.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PTNQ or DMAY?

Over the 5-year period, PTNQ has performed better with a 11.75% return vs 7.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PTNQ or DMAY?

PTNQ is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DMAY.

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

PTNQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.78%, compared with 0.00% for DMAY.

What is the main difference between PTNQ and DMAY?

PTNQ tracks Pacer NASDAQ-100 Trendpilot Index, while DMAY tracks Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect May Series Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for PTNQ and 0.85% for DMAY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 2.06), 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.