DECM vs. BGLD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DECM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December) and BGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from FT Vest. DECM is passively managed, while BGLD is actively managed. Over the past year, DECM returned 7.30% vs 7.94% for BGLD. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DECM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BGLD.

Performance

DECM vs. BGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December (DECM) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DECM achieves a 2.34% return, which is significantly higher than BGLD's -3.71% return.

DECM

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 2.34%
• 6M: 2.34%
• 1Y: 7.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BGLD

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: -4.77%
• YTD: -3.71%
• 6M: -6.89%
• 1Y: 7.94%
• 3Y*: 18.31%
• 5Y*: 10.99%
• 10Y*: —

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

DECM vs. BGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DECM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December	2.34%	6.85%	-0.13%
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	-3.71%	33.03%	0.24%

Correlation

The correlation between DECM and BGLD is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2024	0.15

Return for Risk

DECM vs. BGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

DECM

DECM Risk / Return Rank: 92
DECM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DECM Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
DECM Omega Ratio Rank: 95
DECM Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
DECM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

BGLD

BGLD Risk / Return Rank: 18
BGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
BGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
BGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 20
BGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
BGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

DECM vs. BGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December (DECM) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). 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.

	DECM	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.10	0.64	+2.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.80	0.92	+3.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.13	+0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.29	0.70	+3.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.03	1.96	+20.07

DECM vs. BGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DECM Sharpe Ratio is 3.10, which is higher than the BGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DECM and BGLD, 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

DECM vs. BGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DECM drawdown since its inception was -3.00%, smaller than the maximum BGLD drawdown of -16.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DECM and BGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	DECM	BGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.00%	-16.19%	+13.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-11.42%	+9.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-10.95%	+10.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.37%	-3.69%	+3.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.33%	4.07%	-3.74%

Volatility

DECM vs. BGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December (DECM) is 0.76%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) has a volatility of 4.56%. This indicates that DECM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DECM	BGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.76%	4.56%	-3.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.92%	10.79%	-8.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39%	12.55%	-10.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.97%	10.13%	-7.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.97%	10.02%	-7.05%

DECM vs. BGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

DECM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BGLD's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

DECM vs. BGLD - Dividend Comparison

DECM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 46.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	46.03%	44.32%	25.04%	10.49%	0.40%
DECM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DECM and BGLD in my portfolio?

DECM and BGLD have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DECM or BGLD?

BGLD has higher volatility (4.56%) compared to DECM (0.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DECM dropped -3.00% vs BGLD's -16.19%.

Which ETF is better, DECM or BGLD?

On 1-year performance, BGLD leads with 7.94% vs 7.30% for DECM. On fees, DECM is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, DECM has been the lower-risk option at 0.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DECM or BGLD?

Over the 1-year period, BGLD has performed better with a 7.94% return vs 7.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DECM or BGLD?

DECM is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.91% for BGLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DECM or BGLD?

BGLD has the higher dividend yield at 46.03%, compared with 0.00% for DECM.

What is the main difference between DECM and BGLD?

Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DECM and 0.91% for BGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DECM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.10 vs 0.64), 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.