DECM vs. RDVI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DECM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December) and RDVI (FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DECM is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while RDVI is a Derivative Income fund tracking the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, DECM returned 7.30% vs 28.37% for RDVI. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DECM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for RDVI.

Performance

DECM vs. RDVI - 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 Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI). 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 lower than RDVI's 13.37% return.

DECM

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

RDVI

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: 4.66%
• YTD: 13.37%
• 6M: 11.88%
• 1Y: 28.37%
• 3Y*: 20.19%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DECM vs. RDVI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DECM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December	2.34%	6.85%	-0.13%
RDVI FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	13.37%	17.93%	-0.12%

Correlation

The correlation between DECM and RDVI is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2024	0.75

The correlation between DECM and RDVI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DECM vs. RDVI — 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

RDVI

RDVI Risk / Return Rank: 69
RDVI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
RDVI Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
RDVI Omega Ratio Rank: 64
RDVI Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
RDVI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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. RDVI - 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 Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI). 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	RDVI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.10	2.07	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.80	2.96	+1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.36	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.29	3.36	+0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.03	14.17	+7.85

DECM vs. RDVI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DECM Sharpe Ratio is 3.10, which is higher than the RDVI Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DECM and RDVI, 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. RDVI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DECM drawdown since its inception was -3.00%, smaller than the maximum RDVI drawdown of -18.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DECM and RDVI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DECM	RDVI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.00%	-18.35%	+15.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-8.48%	+6.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-1.27%	+0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.37%	-3.14%	+2.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.33%	2.01%	-1.68%

Volatility

DECM vs. RDVI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December (DECM) is 0.76%, while FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that DECM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RDVI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DECM	RDVI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.76%	4.92%	-4.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.92%	11.11%	-9.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39%	13.82%	-11.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.97%	16.95%	-13.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.97%	16.95%	-13.98%

DECM vs. RDVI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DECM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than RDVI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

DECM vs. RDVI - Dividend Comparison

DECM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RDVI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.66%.

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%
RDVI FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	7.66%	8.10%	8.62%	8.45%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DECM and RDVI in my portfolio?

DECM and RDVI have a correlation of 0.71, 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 RDVI?

RDVI has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to DECM (0.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DECM dropped -3.00% vs RDVI's -18.35%.

Which ETF is better, DECM or RDVI?

On 1-year performance, RDVI leads with 28.37% vs 7.30% for DECM. On fees, RDVI is cheaper at 0.75% 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 RDVI?

Over the 1-year period, RDVI has performed better with a 28.37% 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 RDVI?

RDVI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DECM.

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

RDVI has the higher dividend yield at 7.66%, compared with 0.00% for DECM.

What is the main difference between DECM and RDVI?

DECM is categorized as Defined Outcome, while RDVI is Derivative Income. DECM tracks S&P 500, while RDVI tracks NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DECM and 0.75% for RDVI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DECM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.10 vs 2.07), 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.