TSEP vs. UXJL

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

TSEP (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September) and UXJL (FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July) are both Defined Outcome funds from First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TSEP returned 18.62% vs 21.89% for UXJL. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. TSEP charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for UXJL.

Performance

TSEP vs. UXJL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July (UXJL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSEP achieves a 9.32% return, which is significantly lower than UXJL's 10.27% return.

TSEP

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 1.02%
• 6M: 5.08%
• YTD: 9.32%
• 1Y: 18.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.01%

UXJL

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 0.21%
• 6M: 8.78%
• YTD: 10.27%
• 1Y: 21.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.22%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
TSEP FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September	$78.97K	$65.52K	$84.25K
UXJL FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July	$17.25K	$15.17K	$23.14K

TSEP vs. UXJL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TSEP FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September	9.32%	7.30%
UXJL FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July	10.27%	8.62%

Correlation

The correlation between TSEP and UXJL is 0.76, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 21, 2025	0.75

The correlation between TSEP and UXJL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TSEP vs. UXJL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

TSEP

TSEP Risk / Return Rank: 75
TSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
TSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
TSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 79
TSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
TSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 78

UXJL

UXJL Risk / Return Rank: 56
UXJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
UXJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
UXJL Omega Ratio Rank: 53
UXJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
UXJL Martin Ratio Rank: 64

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

TSEP vs. UXJL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July (UXJL). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	TSEP	UXJL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.35	+0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	1.90	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.24	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	1.92	+0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.04	7.73	+2.32

TSEP vs. UXJL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSEP Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the UXJL Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSEP and UXJL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TSEP vs. UXJL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSEP drawdown since its inception was -9.83%, roughly equal to the maximum UXJL drawdown of -10.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSEP and UXJL.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSEP	UXJL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-10.29%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.25%	-10.29%	+3.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-2.10%	+1.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-1.67%	+0.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.79%	2.56%	-0.77%

Volatility

TSEP vs. UXJL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) is 2.99%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July (UXJL) has a volatility of 3.98%. This indicates that TSEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UXJL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSEP	UXJL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	3.98%	-0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.57%	11.60%	-3.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.46%	14.65%	-4.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.30%	14.47%	-3.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.30%	14.47%	-3.17%

TSEP vs. UXJL - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSEP has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than UXJL's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSEP vs. UXJL - Dividend Comparison

Neither TSEP nor UXJL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSEP and UXJL in my portfolio?

TSEP and UXJL have a correlation of 0.76, 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 UXJL?

UXJL has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to TSEP (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSEP dropped -9.83% vs UXJL's -10.29%.

Which ETF is better, TSEP or UXJL?

On 1-year performance, UXJL leads with 21.89% vs 18.62% for TSEP. On fees, UXJL is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, TSEP has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TSEP or UXJL?

Over the 1-year period, UXJL has performed better with a 21.89% return vs 18.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TSEP or UXJL?

UXJL is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TSEP.

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

TSEP and UXJL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between TSEP and UXJL?

Their fees differ too: 0.95% for TSEP and 0.85% for UXJL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TSEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.35), 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.