DECU vs. ARLU

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DECU (AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF) and ARLU (Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DECU is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Allianz, while ARLU is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Allianz. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DECU returned 15.55% vs 15.22% for ARLU. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. Both charge a 0.74% expense ratio.

Performance

DECU vs. ARLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF (DECU) and Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF (ARLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DECU achieves a 7.58% return, which is significantly higher than ARLU's 6.36% return.

DECU

• 1D: 1.11%
• 1M: 1.26%
• 6M: 6.33%
• YTD: 7.58%
• 1Y: 15.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.17%

ARLU

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: 1.33%
• 6M: 4.54%
• YTD: 6.36%
• 1Y: 15.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.42%

*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)
ARLU Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF	$105.43K	$124.71K	$97.74K
DECU AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF	$211.45K	$142.94K	$292.77K

DECU vs. ARLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DECU AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF	7.58%	11.52%	-2.03%
ARLU Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF	6.36%	11.27%	-2.72%

Correlation

The correlation between DECU and ARLU is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2024	0.97

The correlation between DECU and ARLU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DECU vs. ARLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

DECU

DECU Risk / Return Rank: 63
DECU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
DECU Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
DECU Omega Ratio Rank: 58
DECU Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
DECU Martin Ratio Rank: 68

ARLU

ARLU Risk / Return Rank: 48
ARLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
ARLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
ARLU Omega Ratio Rank: 47
ARLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
ARLU Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

DECU vs. ARLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF (DECU) and Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF (ARLU). 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.

	DECU	ARLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	1.29	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	1.80	+0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.23	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	1.58	+1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.02	6.60	+2.42

DECU vs. ARLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DECU Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is comparable to the ARLU Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DECU and ARLU, 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

DECU vs. ARLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DECU drawdown since its inception was -10.66%, smaller than the maximum ARLU drawdown of -15.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DECU and ARLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DECU	ARLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.66%	-15.38%	+4.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.65%	-9.66%	+4.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	-0.58%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.74%	-2.22%	+0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	2.31%	-0.58%

Volatility

DECU vs. ARLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF (DECU) is 3.12%, while Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF (ARLU) has a volatility of 3.39%. This indicates that DECU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DECU	ARLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.12%	3.39%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.51%	9.39%	-1.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.91%	11.90%	-1.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.82%	12.57%	-1.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.82%	12.57%	-1.75%

DECU vs. ARLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DECU and ARLU have an expense ratio of 0.74%.

Dividends

DECU vs. ARLU - Dividend Comparison

Neither DECU nor ARLU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DECU and ARLU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, DECU and ARLU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DECU or ARLU?

ARLU has higher volatility (3.39%) compared to DECU (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DECU dropped -10.66% vs ARLU's -15.38%.

Which ETF is better, DECU or ARLU?

On 1-year performance, DECU leads with 15.55% vs 15.22% for ARLU. Both ETFs have the same 0.74% expense ratio. On volatility, DECU has been the lower-risk option at 3.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DECU or ARLU?

Over the 1-year period, DECU has performed better with a 15.55% return vs 15.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DECU or ARLU?

DECU and ARLU have the same expense ratio: 0.74% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DECU or ARLU?

DECU and ARLU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DECU and ARLU?

DECU is categorized as Defined Outcome, while ARLU is Options Trading.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DECU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs 1.29), 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.