DDEC vs. GAUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December) and GAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August) are both exchange-traded funds - DDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while GAUG is a Options Trading fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, DDEC returned 16.08% vs 14.06% for GAUG. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

DDEC vs. GAUG - 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 Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

As of year-to-date, both investments have demonstrated similar returns, with DDEC at 4.97% and GAUG at 4.97%.

DDEC

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

GAUG

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 1.59%
• YTD: 4.97%
• 6M: 5.40%
• 1Y: 14.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DDEC vs. GAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	4.97%	12.33%	12.26%	5.98%
GAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August	4.97%	11.28%	11.78%	5.84%

Correlation

The correlation between DDEC and GAUG is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2023	0.88

The correlation between DDEC and GAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

DDEC vs. GAUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DDEC	GAUG
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

DDEC vs. GAUG — 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

GAUG

GAUG Risk / Return Rank: 80
GAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
GAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
GAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 83
GAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
GAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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. GAUG - 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 Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG). 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	GAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.79	2.48	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	3.71	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.50	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.87	3.52	+0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.48	18.35	+1.12
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. GAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.79, which is comparable to the GAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DDEC and GAUG, 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	GAUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.79	2.48	+0.31
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	1.65	-0.40

Drawdowns

DDEC vs. GAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.22%, roughly equal to the maximum GAUG drawdown of -10.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDEC and GAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDEC	GAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-10.08%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.18%	-4.01%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.40%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.22%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.18%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.87%	-0.73%	-1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	0.77%	+0.06%

Volatility

DDEC vs. GAUG - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) has a higher volatility of 0.88% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) at 0.75%. This indicates that DDEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GAUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DDEC	GAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	0.75%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.36%	4.33%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.79%	5.70%	+0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.02%	7.53%	-0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.87%	7.53%	-0.66%

DDEC vs. GAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

DDEC vs. GAUG - Dividend Comparison

Neither DDEC nor GAUG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDEC and GAUG in my portfolio?

DDEC and GAUG have a correlation of 0.89, 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 GAUG?

DDEC has higher volatility (0.88%) compared to GAUG (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DDEC dropped -10.22% vs GAUG's -10.08%.

Which ETF is better, DDEC or GAUG?

On 1-year performance, DDEC leads with 16.08% vs 14.06% for GAUG. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, GAUG has been the lower-risk option at 0.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DDEC or GAUG?

Over the 1-year period, DDEC has performed better with a 16.08% return vs 14.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDEC or GAUG?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between DDEC and GAUG?

DDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while GAUG is Options Trading. Both ETFs track S&P 500.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.48), 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.