DDEC vs. FJUL

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December) and FJUL (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - July) are both exchange-traded funds - DDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while FJUL is a Options Trading fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index July. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DDEC returned 8.20%/yr vs 11.44%/yr for FJUL. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

DDEC vs. FJUL - 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 Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - July (FJUL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DDEC achieves a 4.79% return, which is significantly lower than FJUL's 6.19% return.

DDEC

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 4.79%
• 6M: 4.77%
• 1Y: 15.87%
• 3Y*: 12.31%
• 5Y*: 8.20%
• 10Y*: —

FJUL

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 6.19%
• 6M: 6.08%
• 1Y: 18.77%
• 3Y*: 15.89%
• 5Y*: 11.44%
• 10Y*: —

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

DDEC vs. FJUL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	4.79%	12.33%	12.26%	16.82%	-6.71%	7.61%	0.95%
FJUL FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - July	6.19%	14.19%	17.65%	21.33%	-6.25%	10.80%	0.56%

Correlation

The correlation between DDEC and FJUL is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 21, 2020	0.88

The correlation between DDEC and FJUL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DDEC vs. FJUL — 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: 87
DDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 90
DDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
DDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 89

FJUL

FJUL Risk / Return Rank: 86
FJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
FJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
FJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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. FJUL - 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 Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - July (FJUL). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DDEC	FJUL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	2.73	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.96	3.97	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.55	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.82	3.70	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.94	19.46	-0.52

DDEC vs. FJUL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is comparable to the FJUL Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DDEC and FJUL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DDEC vs. FJUL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.22%, smaller than the maximum FJUL drawdown of -13.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDEC and FJUL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDEC	FJUL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-13.08%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.18%	-5.10%	+0.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.40%	-13.08%	+3.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.22%	-13.08%	+2.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.36%	-0.04%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.86%	-1.86%	0.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.97%	-0.13%

Volatility

DDEC vs. FJUL - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) has a higher volatility of 1.72% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - July (FJUL) at 1.22%. This indicates that DDEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FJUL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DDEC	FJUL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.72%	1.22%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.64%	5.18%	-0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.90%	6.93%	-1.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.06%	10.97%	-3.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.87%	10.53%	-3.66%

DDEC vs. FJUL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DDEC and FJUL have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

DDEC vs. FJUL - Dividend Comparison

Neither DDEC nor FJUL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDEC and FJUL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, DDEC and FJUL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DDEC or FJUL?

DDEC has higher volatility (1.72%) compared to FJUL (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DDEC dropped -10.22% vs FJUL's -13.08%.

Which ETF is better, DDEC or FJUL?

On 5-year performance, FJUL leads with 11.44% vs 8.20% for DDEC. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, FJUL has been the lower-risk option at 1.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DDEC or FJUL?

Over the 5-year period, FJUL has performed better with a 11.44% return vs 8.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDEC or FJUL?

DDEC and FJUL have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

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

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

What is the main difference between DDEC and FJUL?

DDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while FJUL is Options Trading. DDEC tracks S&P 500, while FJUL tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index July.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FJUL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 2.71), 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.