DECM vs. DRLL

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

DECM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December) and DRLL (Strive U.S. Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DECM is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while DRLL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg US Energy Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, DECM returned 7.22% vs 37.23% for DRLL. Their 0.03 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. DECM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for DRLL.

Performance

DECM vs. DRLL - 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 Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DECM achieves a 3.65% return, which is significantly lower than DRLL's 29.95% return.

DECM

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.77%
• 6M: 3.45%
• YTD: 3.65%
• 1Y: 7.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.44%

DRLL

• 1D: -2.68%
• 1M: 8.84%
• 6M: 11.16%
• YTD: 29.95%
• 1Y: 37.23%
• 3Y*: 11.02%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.29%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DECM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December	$28.09K	$19.66K	$110.66K
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	$478.10K	$507.89K	$528.94K

DECM vs. DRLL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DECM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December	3.65%	6.85%	-0.13%
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	29.95%	7.74%	3.36%

Correlation

The correlation between DECM and DRLL is -0.21, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2024	0.03

The correlation between DECM and DRLL shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.03 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DECM vs. DRLL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DECM

DECM Risk / Return Rank: 95
DECM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
DECM Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DECM Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DECM Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
DECM Martin Ratio Rank: 95

DRLL

DRLL Risk / Return Rank: 53
DRLL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
DRLL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DRLL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DRLL Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
DRLL Martin Ratio Rank: 44

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DECM vs. DRLL - 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 Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). 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	DRLL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	1.62	+1.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.75	2.13	+2.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.27	+0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.24	2.20	+2.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.70	5.57	+16.14

DECM vs. DRLL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DECM Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is higher than the DRLL Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DECM and DRLL, 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. DRLL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DECM drawdown since its inception was -3.00%, smaller than the maximum DRLL drawdown of -23.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DECM and DRLL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DECM	DRLL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.00%	-23.73%	+20.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-16.99%	+15.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-9.02%	+9.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.34%	-8.14%	+7.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.33%	6.71%	-6.38%

Volatility

DECM vs. DRLL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December (DECM) is 0.59%, while Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) has a volatility of 7.42%. This indicates that DECM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DRLL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DECM	DRLL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.59%	7.42%	-6.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.92%	18.67%	-16.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37%	23.14%	-20.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.91%	23.82%	-20.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.91%	23.82%	-20.91%

DECM vs. DRLL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DECM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than DRLL's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

DECM vs. DRLL - Dividend Comparison

DECM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DRLL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DECM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	2.34%	2.99%	3.00%	3.01%	1.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DECM and DRLL in my portfolio?

DECM and DRLL have a correlation of -0.21, 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 DRLL?

DRLL has higher volatility (7.42%) compared to DECM (0.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DECM dropped -3.00% vs DRLL's -23.73%.

Which ETF is better, DECM or DRLL?

On 1-year performance, DRLL leads with 37.23% vs 7.22% for DECM. On fees, DRLL is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, DECM has been the lower-risk option at 0.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DECM or DRLL?

Over the 1-year period, DRLL has performed better with a 37.23% return vs 7.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DECM or DRLL?

DRLL is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DECM.

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

DRLL has the higher dividend yield at 2.34%, compared with 0.00% for DECM.

What is the main difference between DECM and DRLL?

DECM is categorized as Defined Outcome, while DRLL is Energy Equities. DECM tracks S&P 500, while DRLL tracks Bloomberg US Energy Select Index. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DECM and 0.41% for DRLL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DECM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 1.62), 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.