TSEP vs. DMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TSEP (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September) and DMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. TSEP is actively managed, while DMAX is passively managed. Over the past year, TSEP returned 23.98% vs 8.46% for DMAX. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TSEP charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for DMAX.

Performance

TSEP vs. DMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSEP achieves a 9.07% return, which is significantly higher than DMAX's 2.34% return.

TSEP

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.50%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 10.71%
• 1Y: 23.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DMAX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 2.34%
• 6M: 3.01%
• 1Y: 8.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TSEP vs. DMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TSEP FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September	9.07%	21.19%
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	2.34%	7.81%

Correlation

The correlation between TSEP and DMAX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.59

The correlation between TSEP and DMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TSEP vs. DMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSEP

TSEP Risk / Return Rank: 74
TSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
TSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
TSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 80
TSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
TSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 74

DMAX

DMAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
DMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
DMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

TSEP vs. DMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX). 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.

	TSEP	DMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	3.65	-1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	5.65	-2.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.79	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	6.01	-2.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.65	30.74	-17.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSEP vs. DMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is lower than the DMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSEP and DMAX, 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

	TSEP	DMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	3.65	-1.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.46	2.14	-0.68

Drawdowns

TSEP vs. DMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSEP drawdown since its inception was -9.83%, which is greater than DMAX's maximum drawdown of -3.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSEP and DMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSEP	DMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-3.37%	-6.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.25%	-1.41%	-5.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.07%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.69%	-0.38%	-1.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.76%	0.28%	+1.48%

Volatility

TSEP vs. DMAX - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) has a higher volatility of 2.09% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX) at 0.32%. This indicates that TSEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSEP	DMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.09%	0.32%	+1.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.98%	1.54%	+6.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.17%	2.33%	+7.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.37%	3.40%	+7.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.37%	3.40%	+7.97%

TSEP vs. DMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSEP has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than DMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSEP vs. DMAX - Dividend Comparison

TSEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%.

Position	TTM	2025
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	1.15%	1.18%
TSEP FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSEP and DMAX in my portfolio?

TSEP and DMAX have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSEP or DMAX?

TSEP has higher volatility (2.09%) compared to DMAX (0.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSEP dropped -9.83% vs DMAX's -3.37%.

Which ETF is better, TSEP or DMAX?

On 1-year performance, TSEP leads with 23.98% vs 8.46% for DMAX. On fees, DMAX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, DMAX has been the lower-risk option at 0.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TSEP or DMAX?

Over the 1-year period, TSEP has performed better with a 23.98% return vs 8.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TSEP or DMAX?

DMAX is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TSEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TSEP or DMAX?

DMAX has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.00% for TSEP.

What is the main difference between TSEP and DMAX?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for TSEP and 0.50% for DMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.65 vs 2.37), 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.