RSDE vs. DNOV

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

RSDE (FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December) and DNOV (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November) are both Defined Outcome funds from FT Vest - RSDE tracks the S&P 500 Equal Weight while DNOV tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, RSDE returned 13.68% vs 17.60% for DNOV. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

RSDE vs. DNOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December (RSDE) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November (DNOV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSDE achieves a 6.37% return, which is significantly higher than DNOV's 4.94% return.

RSDE

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 2.00%
• YTD: 6.37%
• 6M: 6.69%
• 1Y: 13.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DNOV

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 1.61%
• YTD: 4.94%
• 6M: 5.41%
• 1Y: 17.60%
• 3Y*: 13.22%
• 5Y*: 8.18%
• 10Y*: —

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

RSDE vs. DNOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
RSDE FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December	6.37%	8.96%	-0.25%
DNOV FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November	4.94%	13.93%	-0.73%

Correlation

The correlation between RSDE and DNOV is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 24, 2024	0.76

The correlation between RSDE and DNOV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RSDE vs. DNOV — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSDE

RSDE Risk / Return Rank: 54
RSDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
RSDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
RSDE Omega Ratio Rank: 50
RSDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
RSDE Martin Ratio Rank: 59

DNOV

DNOV Risk / Return Rank: 90
DNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
DNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
DNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
DNOV 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.

RSDE vs. DNOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December (RSDE) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November (DNOV). 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.

	RSDE	DNOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	3.09	-1.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	4.67	-2.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.65	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	4.23	-1.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.25	22.70	-12.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RSDE vs. DNOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is lower than the DNOV Sharpe Ratio of 3.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSDE and DNOV, 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

	RSDE	DNOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	3.09	-1.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.08	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.97	0.92	+0.05

Drawdowns

RSDE vs. DNOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSDE drawdown since its inception was -10.77%, smaller than the maximum DNOV drawdown of -15.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSDE and DNOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSDE	DNOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.77%	-15.03%	+4.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.83%	-4.18%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.98%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.98%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.28%	-2.01%	+0.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.34%	0.78%	+0.56%

Volatility

RSDE vs. DNOV - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December (RSDE) has a higher volatility of 1.38% compared to FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November (DNOV) at 0.80%. This indicates that RSDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DNOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSDE	DNOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	0.80%	+0.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.10%	4.22%	+0.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.01%	5.72%	+2.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.02%	7.61%	+3.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.02%	9.03%	+1.99%

RSDE vs. DNOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both RSDE and DNOV have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

RSDE vs. DNOV - Dividend Comparison

Neither RSDE nor DNOV has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSDE and DNOV in my portfolio?

RSDE and DNOV have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSDE or DNOV?

RSDE has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to DNOV (0.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSDE dropped -10.77% vs DNOV's -15.03%.

Which ETF is better, RSDE or DNOV?

On 1-year performance, DNOV leads with 17.60% vs 13.68% for RSDE. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, DNOV has been the lower-risk option at 0.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSDE or DNOV?

Over the 1-year period, DNOV has performed better with a 17.60% return vs 13.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSDE or DNOV?

RSDE and DNOV have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RSDE or DNOV?

RSDE and DNOV have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between RSDE and DNOV?

RSDE tracks S&P 500 Equal Weight, while DNOV tracks S&P 500.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DNOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.09 vs 1.72), 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.