DDEC vs. GMAY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December) and GMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May) are both exchange-traded funds - DDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while GMAY is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest. DDEC is passively managed, while GMAY is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, DDEC returned 12.69%/yr vs 12.18%/yr for GMAY. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

DDEC vs. GMAY - 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 - May (GMAY). 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 higher than GMAY's 4.42% return.

DDEC

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

GMAY

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: 4.42%
• 6M: 5.09%
• 1Y: 12.38%
• 3Y*: 12.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DDEC vs. GMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	4.97%	12.33%	12.26%	9.72%
GMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May	4.42%	11.94%	12.12%	8.88%

Correlation

The correlation between DDEC and GMAY 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	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2023	0.84

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

DDEC vs. GMAY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DDEC	GMAY
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. GMAY — 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

GMAY

GMAY Risk / Return Rank: 85
GMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
GMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
GMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 88
GMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
GMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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. GMAY - 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 - May (GMAY). 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	GMAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.79	2.61	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	3.94	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.55	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.87	4.00	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.48	23.44	-3.96
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. GMAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.79, which is comparable to the GMAY Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DDEC and GMAY, 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	GMAY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.79	2.61	+0.18
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	1.60	-0.34

Drawdowns

DDEC vs. GMAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.22%, smaller than the maximum GMAY drawdown of -11.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDEC and GMAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDEC	GMAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-11.75%	+1.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.18%	-3.11%	-1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.40%	-11.75%	+2.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.22%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.35%	+0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.87%	-0.72%	-1.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	0.53%	+0.30%

Volatility

DDEC vs. GMAY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) is 0.88%, while FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - May (GMAY) has a volatility of 1.21%. This indicates that DDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GMAY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DDEC	GMAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	1.21%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.36%	3.71%	+0.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.79%	4.77%	+1.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.02%	7.85%	-0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.87%	7.85%	-0.98%

DDEC vs. GMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

DDEC vs. GMAY - Dividend Comparison

Neither DDEC nor GMAY has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDEC and GMAY in my portfolio?

DDEC and GMAY 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 GMAY?

GMAY has higher volatility (1.21%) compared to DDEC (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DDEC dropped -10.22% vs GMAY's -11.75%.

Which ETF is better, DDEC or GMAY?

On 3-year performance, DDEC leads with 12.69% vs 12.18% for GMAY. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. 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 GMAY?

Over the 3-year period, DDEC has performed better with a 12.69% return vs 12.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDEC or GMAY?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between DDEC and GMAY?

DDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while GMAY is Options Trading.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.61), 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.