DDEC vs. QDEC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December) and QDEC (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December) are both exchange-traded funds - DDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while QDEC is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by FT Vest. DDEC is passively managed, while QDEC is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, DDEC returned 8.31%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for QDEC. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DDEC charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QDEC.

Performance

DDEC vs. QDEC - 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 Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC). 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 QDEC's 9.56% return.

DDEC

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

QDEC

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 3.42%
• YTD: 9.56%
• 6M: 10.79%
• 1Y: 25.54%
• 3Y*: 17.59%
• 5Y*: 10.93%
• 10Y*: —

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

DDEC vs. QDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	4.97%	12.33%	12.26%	16.82%	-6.71%	7.61%	0.75%
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	9.56%	18.12%	16.40%	29.29%	-22.26%	17.23%	1.37%

Correlation

The correlation between DDEC and QDEC is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2020	0.84

The correlation between DDEC and QDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

DDEC vs. QDEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DDEC	QDEC
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. QDEC — 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

QDEC

QDEC Risk / Return Rank: 79
QDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
QDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. QDEC - 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 Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC). 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	QDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.79	2.63	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	3.71	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.50	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.87	3.39	+0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.48	16.17	+3.30
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. QDEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.79, which is comparable to the QDEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DDEC and QDEC, 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	QDEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.79	2.63	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.19	0.75	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	0.78	+0.47

Drawdowns

DDEC vs. QDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.22%, smaller than the maximum QDEC drawdown of -25.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDEC and QDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDEC	QDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-25.25%	+15.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.18%	-7.58%	+3.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.40%	-16.08%	+6.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.22%	-25.25%	+15.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.11%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.87%	-5.04%	+3.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	1.58%	-0.75%

Volatility

DDEC vs. QDEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) is 0.88%, while FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) has a volatility of 1.37%. This indicates that DDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DDEC	QDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	1.37%	-0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.36%	7.56%	-3.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.79%	9.78%	-3.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.02%	14.70%	-7.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.87%	14.61%	-7.74%

DDEC vs. QDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

DDEC has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than QDEC's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

DDEC vs. QDEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither DDEC nor QDEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDEC and QDEC in my portfolio?

DDEC and QDEC have a correlation of 0.88, 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 QDEC?

QDEC has higher volatility (1.37%) compared to DDEC (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DDEC dropped -10.22% vs QDEC's -25.25%.

Which ETF is better, DDEC or QDEC?

On 5-year performance, QDEC leads with 10.93% vs 8.31% 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 QDEC?

Over the 5-year period, QDEC has performed better with a 10.93% return vs 8.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDEC or QDEC?

DDEC is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QDEC.

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

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

What is the main difference between DDEC and QDEC?

DDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while QDEC is Nasdaq-100. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DDEC and 0.90% for QDEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.63), 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.