RDVY vs. DMAY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and DMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from First Trust - RDVY tracks the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers 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, RDVY returned 11.01%/yr vs 7.16%/yr for DMAY. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RDVY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DMAY.

Performance

RDVY vs. DMAY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) 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, RDVY achieves a 9.82% return, which is significantly higher than DMAY's 4.42% return.

RDVY

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 3.10%
• YTD: 9.82%
• 6M: 10.80%
• 1Y: 26.23%
• 3Y*: 20.29%
• 5Y*: 11.01%
• 10Y*: 15.66%

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)

RDVY vs. DMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	9.82%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	40.66%
DMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May	4.42%	11.05%	12.82%	15.40%	-9.98%	6.14%	6.40%

Correlation

The correlation between RDVY and DMAY is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2020	0.76

The correlation between RDVY and DMAY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

RDVY vs. DMAY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

RDVY vs. DMAY — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 57
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 53
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

RDVY vs. DMAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) 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.

	RDVY	DMAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	2.65	-0.77
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	4.00	-1.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.60	-0.26
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	3.73	-0.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.26	22.76	-10.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RDVY vs. DMAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the DMAY Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDVY 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

	RDVY	DMAY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	2.65	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.80	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.88	-0.21

Drawdowns

RDVY vs. DMAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDVY drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than DMAY's maximum drawdown of -13.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDVY and DMAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDVY	DMAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	-13.90%	-26.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-3.36%	-5.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.11%	-12.38%	-6.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	-13.90%	-11.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.60%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.42%	-0.30%	-0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.00%	-2.24%	-2.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	0.55%	+1.59%

Volatility

RDVY vs. DMAY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) has a higher volatility of 3.96% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) at 0.84%. This indicates that RDVY'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

	RDVY	DMAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.96%	0.84%	+3.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.95%	3.74%	+7.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.02%	4.73%	+9.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.92%	9.02%	+9.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.11%	8.43%	+12.68%

RDVY vs. DMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

RDVY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than DMAY's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

RDVY vs. DMAY - Dividend Comparison

RDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, 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%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.92%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RDVY and DMAY in my portfolio?

RDVY and DMAY have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RDVY or DMAY?

RDVY has higher volatility (3.96%) compared to DMAY (0.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDVY dropped -40.60% vs DMAY's -13.90%.

Which ETF is better, RDVY or DMAY?

On 5-year performance, RDVY leads with 11.01% vs 7.16% for DMAY. On fees, RDVY is cheaper at 0.50% 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, RDVY or DMAY?

Over the 5-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 11.01% return vs 7.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RDVY or DMAY?

RDVY is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DMAY.

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

RDVY has the higher dividend yield at 0.92%, compared with 0.00% for DMAY.

What is the main difference between RDVY and DMAY?

RDVY tracks NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers, while DMAY tracks Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect May Series Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for RDVY and 0.85% for DMAY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 1.88), 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.