SEPM vs. SMAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SEPM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September) and SMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SEPM returned 7.70% vs 9.25% for SMAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SEPM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SMAX.

Performance

SEPM vs. SMAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SEPM having a 3.00% return and SMAX slightly higher at 3.13%.

SEPM

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 3.00%
• 6M: 3.43%
• 1Y: 7.70%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMAX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 3.13%
• 6M: 3.51%
• 1Y: 9.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SEPM vs. SMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SEPM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September	3.00%	6.61%	0.85%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	3.13%	8.01%	1.02%

Correlation

The correlation between SEPM and SMAX 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2024	0.84

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

Return for Risk

SEPM vs. SMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEPM

SEPM Risk / Return Rank: 90
SEPM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
SEPM Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SEPM Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SEPM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
SEPM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

SMAX

SMAX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
SMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
SMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
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.

SEPM vs. SMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September (SEPM) 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.

	SEPM	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	3.48	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.71	5.36	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.76	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.24	4.85	-0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.53	26.32	-4.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEPM vs. SMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEPM Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is comparable to the SMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEPM 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

	SEPM	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.05	3.48	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.78	2.01	-0.23

Drawdowns

SEPM vs. SMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEPM drawdown since its inception was -3.88%, roughly equal to the maximum SMAX drawdown of -3.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEPM and SMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEPM	SMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.88%	-3.90%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.82%	-1.91%	+0.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-0.05%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.36%	-0.40%	+0.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.36%	0.35%	+0.01%

Volatility

SEPM vs. SMAX - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September (SEPM) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX) have volatilities of 0.35% and 0.36%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEPM	SMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	0.36%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.98%	2.10%	-0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.54%	2.67%	-0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.50%	3.66%	-0.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.50%	3.66%	-0.16%

SEPM vs. SMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SEPM vs. SMAX - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024
SEPM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September	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 SEPM and SMAX in my portfolio?

SEPM and SMAX 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, SEPM or SMAX?

SMAX has higher volatility (0.36%) compared to SEPM (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEPM dropped -3.88% vs SMAX's -3.90%.

Which ETF is better, SEPM or SMAX?

On 1-year performance, SMAX leads with 9.25% vs 7.70% for SEPM. On fees, SMAX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEPM or SMAX?

Over the 1-year period, SMAX has performed better with a 9.25% return vs 7.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEPM or SMAX?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between SEPM and SMAX?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.48 vs 3.05), 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.