Data as of .
DSEP vs GSEP: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 DSEP can fall 6.6% before its buffer engages and GSEP 1.5%.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: GSEP scores higher
If the market falls into a bear market from here, how much does the buffer absorb?
A percentile among the 293 buffer ETFs with a live outcome period. It is a position in a set, not a rating, and neither end of it is a recommendation. All buffer ETFs ranked by it · How it is computed
Both are First Trust funds, so the difference between them is the terms rather than the house.
Where each one stands today
DSEP resets first, on Sep 17, 2027, 361 days from now; GSEP runs to Sep 17, 2027, 361 days. DSEP can still gain 12.8% before its cap, GSEP 12.5%. A fall from here reaches DSEP’s buffer after 6.6% and GSEP’s after 1.5%. Both track SPY, so what separates them is where each is in its own period.
Every figure is ETFIQ’s own, from the issuer’s published outcome-period terms. A buffer ETF holds FLEX options on its reference index rather than shares, so there is no holdings overlap between two of them to report.
Performance, window by window
| Window | Total return | Gap to the reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSEP | GSEP | DSEP | GSEP | |
| 3 months | +3.1% | +3.0% | +0.8 pts | +0.7 pts |
| 6 months | +11.2% | +11.0% | −6.8 pts | −7.1 pts |
| 1 year | +10.8% | +10.8% | −5.7 pts | −5.7 pts |
| 3 years | +40.5% | +39.5% | −37.9 pts | −38.9 pts |
| DSEP FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September Absorbs losses from 5.0% to 30.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 14.6%, over a period ending Sep 17, 2027 | GSEP FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - September Absorbs the first 0% to 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 14.1%, over a period ending Sep 17, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 5% to 30% | 0% to 15% |
| Outcome period | Sep 21, 2026 to Sep 17, 2027 | Sep 21, 2026 to Sep 17, 2027 |
| Days left | 361 | 361 |
| Starting cap | +14.6% | +14.1% |
| Can still gain | 12.8% | 12.5% |
| Fall before buffer | 6.6% | 1.5% |
| Protection left, index points | 25.0% of 25.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +1.6% | +1.6% |
| Fund return this period | +0.8% | +0.7% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $613m | $588m |
DSEP in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 12.8% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 6.6% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 6.5% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 25.0% of the 25.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 361 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Sep 17, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
GSEP in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 12.5% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.5% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 1.5% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 15.0% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DSEP or GSEP?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DSEP can gain about 12.8% before its cap and GSEP about 12.5%, so DSEP has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DSEP or GSEP?
- DSEP ends its outcome period on Sep 17, 2027 and GSEP on Sep 17, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DSEP or GSEP?
- DSEP charges 0.85% a year and GSEP charges 0.85%, so DSEP is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
Where these figures came from
ETFIQ links to the documents behind every figure. It is not affiliated with any issuer, and a link is not an endorsement.
Cite this page. ETFIQ, DSEP against GSEP, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/dsep-vs-gsep Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.