DECM vs. OCTB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DECM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December) and OCTB (Aptus October Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. DECM is passively managed, while OCTB is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DECM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for OCTB.

Performance

DECM vs. OCTB - 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 Aptus October Buffer ETF (OCTB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DECM achieves a 2.56% return, which is significantly lower than OCTB's 6.18% return.

DECM

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.91%
• YTD: 2.56%
• 6M: 3.15%
• 1Y: 8.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

OCTB

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 2.41%
• YTD: 6.18%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DECM vs. OCTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DECM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December	2.56%	1.83%
OCTB Aptus October Buffer ETF	6.18%	2.37%

Correlation

The correlation between DECM and OCTB is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 15, 2025	0.89

Return for Risk

DECM vs. OCTB — Risk / Return Rank

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

DECM

DECM Risk / Return Rank: 93
DECM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DECM Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DECM Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DECM Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DECM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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. OCTB - 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 Aptus October Buffer ETF (OCTB). 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.

	DECM	OCTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.48	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.52	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.73	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.75	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DECM	OCTB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.48	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.17	1.97	+0.20

Drawdowns

DECM vs. OCTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DECM drawdown since its inception was -3.00%, smaller than the maximum OCTB drawdown of -4.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DECM and OCTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	DECM	OCTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.00%	-4.79%	+1.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	-0.17%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.37%	-0.70%	+0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.33%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DECM	OCTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.32%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.78%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33%	7.20%	-4.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.97%	7.20%	-4.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.97%	7.20%	-4.23%

DECM vs. OCTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

DECM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than OCTB's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

DECM vs. OCTB - Dividend Comparison

Neither DECM nor OCTB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DECM and OCTB in my portfolio?

DECM and OCTB have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DECM or OCTB?

On fees, OCTB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DECM or OCTB?

OCTB is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DECM.

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

DECM and OCTB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DECM and OCTB?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Aptus Capital Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DECM and 0.25% for OCTB.