DAPR vs. TDEC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DAPR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April) and TDEC (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December) are both Defined Outcome funds from FT Vest - DAPR tracks the S&P 500 while TDEC tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, DAPR returned 10.07% vs 24.15% for TDEC. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DAPR charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for TDEC.

Performance

DAPR vs. TDEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April (DAPR) and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DAPR achieves a 4.04% return, which is significantly lower than TDEC's 9.14% return.

DAPR

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 1.93%
• YTD: 4.04%
• 6M: 4.78%
• 1Y: 10.07%
• 3Y*: 10.83%
• 5Y*: 6.20%
• 10Y*: —

TDEC

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 1.54%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 6M: 11.08%
• 1Y: 24.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DAPR vs. TDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DAPR FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April	4.04%	5.74%	-0.16%
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	9.14%	21.39%	-0.70%

Correlation

The correlation between DAPR and TDEC is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 24, 2024	0.58

The correlation between DAPR and TDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DAPR vs. TDEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

DAPR

DAPR Risk / Return Rank: 96
DAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
DAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

TDEC

TDEC Risk / Return Rank: 74
TDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
TDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
TDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 87
TDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
TDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

DAPR vs. TDEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April (DAPR) and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC). 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.

	DAPR	TDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.66	2.41	+1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.98	3.34	+2.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.81	1.54	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.99	2.97	+9.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	59.41	13.07	+46.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DAPR vs. TDEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAPR Sharpe Ratio is 3.66, which is higher than the TDEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAPR and TDEC, 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

	DAPR	TDEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.66	2.41	+1.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	1.81	-1.04

Drawdowns

DAPR vs. TDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAPR drawdown since its inception was -10.51%, roughly equal to the maximum TDEC drawdown of -10.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAPR and TDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAPR	TDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.51%	-10.30%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.84%	-8.16%	+7.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.51%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.51%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-0.33%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.30%	-1.04%	-1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.17%	1.85%	-1.68%

Volatility

DAPR vs. TDEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April (DAPR) is 1.03%, while FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) has a volatility of 2.81%. This indicates that DAPR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DAPR	TDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.03%	2.81%	-1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.88%	9.02%	-7.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.78%	10.09%	-7.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.21%	11.75%	-3.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.16%	11.75%	-3.59%

DAPR vs. TDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

DAPR has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than TDEC's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

DAPR vs. TDEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither DAPR nor TDEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DAPR and TDEC in my portfolio?

DAPR and TDEC have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DAPR or TDEC?

TDEC has higher volatility (2.81%) compared to DAPR (1.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAPR dropped -10.51% vs TDEC's -10.30%.

Which ETF is better, DAPR or TDEC?

On 1-year performance, TDEC leads with 24.15% vs 10.07% for DAPR. On fees, DAPR is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, DAPR has been the lower-risk option at 1.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DAPR or TDEC?

Over the 1-year period, TDEC has performed better with a 24.15% return vs 10.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DAPR or TDEC?

DAPR is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TDEC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DAPR or TDEC?

DAPR and TDEC have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DAPR and TDEC?

DAPR tracks S&P 500, while TDEC tracks MSCI Emerging Markets. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DAPR and 0.95% for TDEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.66 vs 2.41), 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.