DDEC vs. BUFQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December) and BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DDEC returned 12.69%/yr vs 16.99%/yr for BUFQ. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DDEC charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for BUFQ.

Performance

DDEC vs. BUFQ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DDEC achieves a 4.97% return, which is significantly lower than BUFQ's 9.53% return.

DDEC

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: 4.97%
• 6M: 5.94%
• 1Y: 16.08%
• 3Y*: 12.69%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: —

BUFQ

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 2.68%
• YTD: 9.53%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: 21.61%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DDEC vs. BUFQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	4.97%	12.33%	12.26%	16.82%	3.45%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	9.53%	14.03%	16.41%	35.51%	0.75%

Correlation

The correlation between DDEC and BUFQ is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 17, 2022	0.84

The correlation between DDEC and BUFQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

DDEC vs. BUFQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DDEC	BUFQ
Technology	36.2%	54.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	0.2%
Communication Services	10.9%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	4.2%
Industrials	8.1%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.6%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.2%

Return for Risk

DDEC vs. BUFQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

DDEC

DDEC Risk / Return Rank: 86
DDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
DDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 89
DDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
DDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 88

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 84
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 85
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

DDEC vs. BUFQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). 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.

	DDEC	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.79	2.62	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	3.88	+0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.53	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.87	4.03	-0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.48	20.34	-0.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DDEC vs. BUFQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.79, which is comparable to the BUFQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DDEC and BUFQ, 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

	DDEC	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.79	2.62	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.19	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	1.42	-0.17

Drawdowns

DDEC vs. BUFQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.22%, smaller than the maximum BUFQ drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDEC and BUFQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDEC	BUFQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-15.74%	+5.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.18%	-5.39%	+1.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.40%	-15.74%	+6.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.22%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.04%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.87%	-2.31%	+0.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	1.06%	-0.23%

Volatility

DDEC vs. BUFQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) is 0.88%, while FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) has a volatility of 1.17%. This indicates that DDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DDEC	BUFQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	1.17%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.36%	6.42%	-2.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.79%	8.31%	-2.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.02%	13.35%	-6.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.87%	13.35%	-6.48%

DDEC vs. BUFQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

DDEC has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFQ's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

DDEC vs. BUFQ - Dividend Comparison

Neither DDEC nor BUFQ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDEC and BUFQ in my portfolio?

DDEC and BUFQ have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DDEC or BUFQ?

BUFQ has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to DDEC (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DDEC dropped -10.22% vs BUFQ's -15.74%.

Which ETF is better, DDEC or BUFQ?

On 3-year performance, BUFQ leads with 16.99% vs 12.69% for DDEC. On fees, DDEC is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, DDEC has been the lower-risk option at 0.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DDEC or BUFQ?

Over the 3-year period, BUFQ has performed better with a 16.99% return vs 12.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDEC or BUFQ?

DDEC is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DDEC or BUFQ?

DDEC and BUFQ have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DDEC and BUFQ?

DDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while BUFQ is Nasdaq-100. DDEC tracks S&P 500, while BUFQ tracks NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DDEC and 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.62), 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.