RSJN vs. SMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RSJN (FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - June) and SMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, RSJN returned 13.82% vs 9.17% for SMAX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RSJN charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SMAX.

Performance

RSJN vs. SMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - June (RSJN) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSJN achieves a 6.92% return, which is significantly higher than SMAX's 3.09% return.

RSJN

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 2.48%
• YTD: 6.92%
• 6M: 7.65%
• 1Y: 13.82%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMAX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 1.09%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 6M: 3.54%
• 1Y: 9.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

RSJN vs. SMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
RSJN FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - June	6.92%	7.86%	-0.80%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	3.09%	8.01%	1.02%

Correlation

The correlation between RSJN and SMAX is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2024	0.69

The correlation between RSJN and SMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RSJN vs. SMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSJN

RSJN Risk / Return Rank: 64
RSJN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
RSJN Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
RSJN Omega Ratio Rank: 60
RSJN Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
RSJN Martin Ratio Rank: 72

SMAX

SMAX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
SMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

RSJN vs. SMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - June (RSJN) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX). 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.

	RSJN	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	3.46	-1.52
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	5.32	-2.46
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.75	-0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	4.81	-1.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.31	26.11	-12.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RSJN vs. SMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSJN Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is lower than the SMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSJN and SMAX, 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

	RSJN	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	3.46	-1.52
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.03	2.01	-0.98

Drawdowns

RSJN vs. SMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSJN drawdown since its inception was -12.44%, which is greater than SMAX's maximum drawdown of -3.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSJN and SMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSJN	SMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.44%	-3.90%	-8.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.07%	-1.91%	-2.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.09%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.58%	-0.40%	-1.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	0.35%	+0.69%

Volatility

RSJN vs. SMAX - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - June (RSJN) has a higher volatility of 1.17% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX) at 0.38%. This indicates that RSJN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSJN	SMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	0.38%	+0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.89%	2.10%	+2.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.21%	2.67%	+4.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.15%	3.67%	+6.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.15%	3.67%	+6.48%

RSJN vs. SMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSJN has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than SMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSJN vs. SMAX - Dividend Comparison

RSJN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
RSJN FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - June	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	0.95%	0.98%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSJN and SMAX in my portfolio?

RSJN and SMAX have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSJN or SMAX?

RSJN has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to SMAX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSJN dropped -12.44% vs SMAX's -3.90%.

Which ETF is better, RSJN or SMAX?

On 1-year performance, RSJN leads with 13.82% vs 9.17% for SMAX. On fees, SMAX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SMAX has been the lower-risk option at 0.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSJN or SMAX?

Over the 1-year period, RSJN has performed better with a 13.82% return vs 9.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSJN or SMAX?

SMAX is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for RSJN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RSJN or SMAX?

SMAX has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for RSJN.

What is the main difference between RSJN and SMAX?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for RSJN and 0.50% for SMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.46 vs 1.94), 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.