RNDV vs. DMAY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RNDV (US Equity Dividend Select ETF) and DMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from First Trust - RNDV tracks the Nasdaq Riskalyze US Large Cap Select Dividend 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, RNDV returned 9.28%/yr vs 7.16%/yr for DMAY. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RNDV charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DMAY.

Performance

RNDV vs. DMAY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in US Equity Dividend Select ETF (RNDV) 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, RNDV achieves a 16.69% return, which is significantly higher than DMAY's 4.42% return.

RNDV

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 8.04%
• YTD: 16.69%
• 6M: 16.73%
• 1Y: 31.60%
• 3Y*: 17.67%
• 5Y*: 9.28%
• 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)

RNDV vs. DMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
RNDV US Equity Dividend Select ETF	16.69%	14.27%	11.05%	9.77%	-7.55%	28.99%	29.70%
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 RNDV and DMAY is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2020	0.68

The correlation between RNDV and DMAY shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.74 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RNDV vs. DMAY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RNDV	DMAY
Technology	34.0%	36.2%
Healthcare	13.6%	8.4%
Financial Services	10.7%	11.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	10.1%
Industrials	9.4%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.8%	4.9%
Energy	5.0%	3.5%
Communication Services	4.8%	10.9%
Utilities	2.6%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.4%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.8%

Return for Risk

RNDV vs. DMAY — Risk / Return Rank

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

RNDV

RNDV Risk / Return Rank: 69
RNDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
RNDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
RNDV Omega Ratio Rank: 69
RNDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
RNDV Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

RNDV vs. DMAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for US Equity Dividend Select ETF (RNDV) 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.

	RNDV	DMAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.65	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	4.00	-0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.60	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	3.73	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.35	22.76	-11.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RNDV vs. DMAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RNDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the DMAY Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RNDV 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

	RNDV	DMAY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.65	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.80	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.88	-0.26

Drawdowns

RNDV vs. DMAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RNDV drawdown since its inception was -37.44%, which is greater than DMAY's maximum drawdown of -13.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RNDV and DMAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	RNDV	DMAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.44%	-13.90%	-23.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-3.36%	-6.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.70%	-12.38%	-7.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.71%	-13.90%	-5.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.01%	-0.30%	-0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.87%	-2.24%	-2.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	0.55%	+2.24%

Volatility

RNDV vs. DMAY - Volatility Comparison

US Equity Dividend Select ETF (RNDV) has a higher volatility of 3.82% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) at 0.84%. This indicates that RNDV'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

	RNDV	DMAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.82%	0.84%	+2.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.90%	3.74%	+6.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.58%	4.73%	+8.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	9.02%	+7.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.87%	8.43%	+10.44%

RNDV vs. DMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

RNDV vs. DMAY - Dividend Comparison

RNDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.33%, 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%
RNDV US Equity Dividend Select ETF	2.33%	2.70%	2.55%	3.10%	2.52%	1.95%	2.44%	2.85%	4.09%	1.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RNDV and DMAY in my portfolio?

RNDV and DMAY have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RNDV or DMAY?

RNDV has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to DMAY (0.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RNDV dropped -37.44% vs DMAY's -13.90%.

Which ETF is better, RNDV or DMAY?

On 5-year performance, RNDV leads with 9.28% vs 7.16% for DMAY. On fees, RNDV 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, RNDV or DMAY?

Over the 5-year period, RNDV has performed better with a 9.28% return vs 7.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RNDV or DMAY?

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

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

RNDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.33%, compared with 0.00% for DMAY.

What is the main difference between RNDV and DMAY?

RNDV tracks Nasdaq Riskalyze US Large Cap Select Dividend Index, while DMAY tracks Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect May Series Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for RNDV and 0.85% for DMAY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 2.34), 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.