DDEC vs. XISE

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December) and XISE (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September) are both exchange-traded funds - DDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while XISE is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest. DDEC is passively managed, while XISE is actively managed. Over the past year, DDEC returned 14.63% vs 6.58% for XISE. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

DDEC vs. XISE - 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 & Premium Income ETF – September (XISE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DDEC achieves a 4.35% return, which is significantly higher than XISE's 3.14% return.

DDEC

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -0.04%
• YTD: 4.35%
• 6M: 4.05%
• 1Y: 14.63%
• 3Y*: 12.16%
• 5Y*: 8.08%
• 10Y*: —

XISE

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 3.14%
• 6M: 3.12%
• 1Y: 6.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DDEC vs. XISE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	4.35%	12.33%	12.26%	4.52%
XISE FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September	3.14%	6.42%	5.70%	2.93%

Correlation

The correlation between DDEC and XISE is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2023	0.72

The correlation between DDEC and XISE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DDEC vs. XISE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DDEC

DDEC Risk / Return Rank: 84
DDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
DDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 87

XISE

XISE Risk / Return Rank: 84
XISE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
XISE Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
XISE Omega Ratio Rank: 90
XISE Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
XISE Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. XISE - 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 & Premium Income ETF – September (XISE). 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	XISE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.26	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	3.52	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.52	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	3.52	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.42	19.66	-2.24

DDEC vs. XISE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the XISE Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DDEC and XISE, 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. XISE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.22%, which is greater than XISE's maximum drawdown of -6.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDEC and XISE.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDEC	XISE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-6.17%	-4.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.18%	-1.88%	-2.30%
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	-0.78%	-0.08%	-0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.85%	-0.24%	-1.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.34%	+0.50%

Volatility

DDEC vs. XISE - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) has a higher volatility of 1.77% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September (XISE) at 0.36%. This indicates that DDEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XISE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DDEC	XISE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.77%	0.36%	+1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.64%	2.33%	+2.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.91%	2.92%	+2.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.06%	4.88%	+2.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.88%	4.88%	+2.00%

DDEC vs. XISE - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

DDEC vs. XISE - Dividend Comparison

DDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XISE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.91%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XISE FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September	5.91%	5.81%	7.04%	1.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDEC and XISE in my portfolio?

DDEC and XISE have a correlation of 0.79, 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 XISE?

DDEC has higher volatility (1.77%) compared to XISE (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DDEC dropped -10.22% vs XISE's -6.17%.

Which ETF is better, DDEC or XISE?

On 1-year performance, DDEC leads with 14.63% vs 6.58% for XISE. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, XISE has been the lower-risk option at 0.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DDEC or XISE?

Over the 1-year period, DDEC has performed better with a 14.63% return vs 6.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDEC or XISE?

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

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

XISE has the higher dividend yield at 5.91%, compared with 0.00% for DDEC.

What is the main difference between DDEC and XISE?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.26), 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.