Day Hagan Smart Buffer ETF (DHSB) is an actively managed exchange-traded fund that seeks long-term capital appreciation and preservation of capital by investing primarily in U.S.-listed ETFs tracking broad-based U.S. equity indexes such as the S&P 500 Index or individual equity securities within those indexes; utilizing put options or options spreads to provide a buffer against downside losses on the underlying index; and selling covered call options on the underlying index to generate premiums that offset buffer costs, thereby creating a cap on potential upside gains. The fund actively rebalances its buffer and cap levels when the risk/return profile becomes unattractive, aiming to enhance capital appreciation opportunities or downside protection based on current market conditions. It holds a diversified portfolio including SPDR S&P 500 ETF options, SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF, and futures collateral, with a net expense ratio of 0.68%.
Launched on February 13, 2025, and listed on NYSE Arca, DHSB is advised by Day Hagan Asset Management, a Sarasota, Florida-based firm founded in 2004 (as Donald L. Hagan, LLC) and operating under its current name since 2006, with portfolio managers Donald L. Hagan, CFA, Arthur S. Day, and Regan Teague, CFA, CFP.
In October 2025, Day Hagan Asset Management was acquired by Ashton Thomas Private Wealth, an Arax Investment Partners firm, integrating its investment strategies and team—including Don Hagan as Chief Investment Officer and Arthur Day as Deputy Chief Investment Officer—into a national platform while maintaining its model-driven approach; this followed a name change sticker for the ETF issued on October 2, 2025, and other operational updates such as a creation units change in August 2025.