XSEP vs. DNOV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September) and DNOV (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November) are both exchange-traded funds - XSEP is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while DNOV is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500. XSEP is actively managed, while DNOV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XSEP returned 9.79%/yr vs 13.14%/yr for DNOV. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

XSEP vs. DNOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September (XSEP) 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, XSEP achieves a 4.33% return, which is significantly lower than DNOV's 4.78% return.

XSEP

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.42%
• YTD: 4.33%
• 6M: 5.05%
• 1Y: 10.66%
• 3Y*: 9.79%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DNOV

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 1.78%
• YTD: 4.78%
• 6M: 5.27%
• 1Y: 17.37%
• 3Y*: 13.14%
• 5Y*: 8.14%
• 10Y*: —

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

XSEP vs. DNOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September	4.33%	8.94%	8.41%	16.07%	2.83%
DNOV FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November	4.78%	13.93%	10.71%	18.52%	-0.09%

Correlation

The correlation between XSEP and DNOV is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2022	0.83

The correlation between XSEP and DNOV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

XSEP vs. DNOV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XSEP	DNOV
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

XSEP vs. DNOV — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSEP

XSEP Risk / Return Rank: 73
XSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
XSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
XSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 81
XSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
XSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 82

DNOV

DNOV Risk / Return Rank: 89
DNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
DNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
DNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
DNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

XSEP vs. DNOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September (XSEP) 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.

	XSEP	DNOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	3.05	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	4.61	-1.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.64	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	4.17	-1.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.34	22.39	-6.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XSEP vs. DNOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the DNOV Sharpe Ratio of 3.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSEP 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

	XSEP	DNOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	3.05	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.07	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.58	0.91	+0.66

Drawdowns

XSEP vs. DNOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSEP drawdown since its inception was -9.21%, smaller than the maximum DNOV drawdown of -15.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSEP and DNOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSEP	DNOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.21%	-15.03%	+5.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.51%	-4.18%	+0.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.21%	-9.98%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.98%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-0.18%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.54%	-2.01%	+1.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.65%	0.78%	-0.13%

Volatility

XSEP vs. DNOV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September (XSEP) is 0.53%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November (DNOV) has a volatility of 0.84%. This indicates that XSEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DNOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSEP	DNOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.53%	0.84%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.89%	4.22%	-0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.84%	5.73%	-0.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.02%	7.61%	-0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.02%	9.04%	-2.02%

XSEP vs. DNOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XSEP vs. DNOV - Dividend Comparison

Neither XSEP nor DNOV has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XSEP and DNOV in my portfolio?

XSEP and DNOV have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XSEP or DNOV?

DNOV has higher volatility (0.84%) compared to XSEP (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSEP dropped -9.21% vs DNOV's -15.03%.

Which ETF is better, XSEP or DNOV?

On 3-year performance, DNOV leads with 13.14% vs 9.79% for XSEP. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, XSEP has been the lower-risk option at 0.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XSEP or DNOV?

Over the 3-year period, DNOV has performed better with a 13.14% return vs 9.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSEP or DNOV?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between XSEP and DNOV?

XSEP is categorized as Options Trading, while DNOV is Defined Outcome.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DNOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 2.22), 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.