DDEC vs. TDEC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December) and TDEC (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December) are both Defined Outcome funds from FT Vest - DDEC tracks the S&P 500 while TDEC tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, DDEC returned 16.08% vs 24.15% for TDEC. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DDEC charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for TDEC.

Performance

DDEC vs. TDEC - 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 Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC). 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 TDEC's 9.14% return.

DDEC

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

TDEC

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 1.54%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 6M: 11.08%
• 1Y: 24.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DDEC vs. TDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	4.97%	12.33%	-0.72%
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	9.14%	21.39%	-0.70%

Correlation

The correlation between DDEC and TDEC is 0.65, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 24, 2024	0.65

The correlation between DDEC and TDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DDEC vs. TDEC — 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

TDEC

TDEC Risk / Return Rank: 74
TDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
TDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
TDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 87
TDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
TDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. TDEC - 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 Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC). 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	TDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.79	2.41	+0.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	3.34	+0.78
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.54	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.87	2.97	+0.89
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	19.48	13.07	+6.41
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. TDEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.79, which is comparable to the TDEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DDEC and TDEC, 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	TDEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.79	2.41	+0.39
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	1.81	-0.55

Drawdowns

DDEC vs. TDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.22%, roughly equal to the maximum TDEC drawdown of -10.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDEC and TDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDEC	TDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-10.30%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.18%	-8.16%	+3.98%
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%	-0.33%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.87%	-1.04%	-0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	1.85%	-1.02%

Volatility

DDEC vs. TDEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) is 0.88%, while FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) has a volatility of 2.81%. This indicates that DDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DDEC	TDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	2.81%	-1.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.36%	9.02%	-4.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.79%	10.09%	-4.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.02%	11.75%	-4.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.87%	11.75%	-4.88%

DDEC vs. TDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

DDEC has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than TDEC's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

DDEC vs. TDEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither DDEC nor TDEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDEC and TDEC in my portfolio?

DDEC and TDEC have a correlation of 0.65, 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 TDEC?

TDEC has higher volatility (2.81%) compared to DDEC (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DDEC dropped -10.22% vs TDEC's -10.30%.

Which ETF is better, DDEC or TDEC?

On 1-year performance, TDEC leads with 24.15% vs 16.08% 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 TDEC?

Over the 1-year period, TDEC has performed better with a 24.15% return vs 16.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDEC or TDEC?

DDEC is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TDEC.

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

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

What is the main difference between DDEC and TDEC?

DDEC tracks S&P 500, while TDEC tracks MSCI Emerging Markets. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DDEC and 0.95% for TDEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.41), 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.