DOCT vs. DDEC

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DOCT (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October) and DDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December) are both Defined Outcome funds from FT Vest tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DOCT returned 7.83%/yr vs 8.31%/yr for DDEC. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

DOCT vs. DDEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October (DOCT) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DOCT achieves a 6.26% return, which is significantly higher than DDEC's 5.82% return.

DOCT

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 0.86%
• 6M: 5.57%
• YTD: 6.26%
• 1Y: 14.09%
• 3Y*: 10.04%
• 5Y*: 7.83%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 24.80%

DDEC

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 0.76%
• 6M: 5.22%
• YTD: 5.82%
• 1Y: 13.75%
• 3Y*: 11.75%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.50%

*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)
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	$574.23K	$437.89K	$441.73K
DOCT FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October	$404.45K	$503.27K	$556.36K

DOCT vs. DDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DOCT FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October	6.26%	12.50%	8.28%	16.13%	-5.27%	6.89%	0.23%
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	5.82%	12.33%	12.26%	16.82%	-6.71%	7.61%	0.95%

Correlation

The correlation between DOCT and DDEC is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 21, 2020	0.87

The correlation between DOCT and DDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

DOCT vs. DDEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DOCT	DDEC
Technology	37.9%	37.9%
Financial Services	11.7%	11.7%
Communication Services	10.0%	10.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	9.6%
Healthcare	9.1%	9.1%
Industrials	8.4%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.6%
Energy	3.0%	3.0%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.7%

Return for Risk

DOCT vs. DDEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

DOCT

DOCT Risk / Return Rank: 89
DOCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
DOCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
DOCT Omega Ratio Rank: 90
DOCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
DOCT Martin Ratio Rank: 91

DDEC

DDEC Risk / Return Rank: 88
DDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
DDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 90
DDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
DDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

DOCT vs. DDEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October (DOCT) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC). 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.

	DOCT	DDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.16	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	3.17	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.42	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.06	-0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.95	15.04	-0.09

DOCT vs. DDEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DOCT Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the DDEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DOCT and DDEC, 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

DOCT vs. DDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DOCT drawdown since its inception was -9.92%, roughly equal to the maximum DDEC drawdown of -10.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DOCT and DDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	DOCT	DDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.92%	-10.22%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.34%	-4.18%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.92%	-9.40%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.92%	-10.22%	+0.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.50%	-1.83%	+0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	0.85%	+0.02%

Volatility

DOCT vs. DDEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October (DOCT) is 1.39%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) has a volatility of 1.52%. This indicates that DOCT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DOCT	DDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.39%	1.52%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.55%	4.63%	-0.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.94%	5.94%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.38%	7.08%	+0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.91%	6.84%	+41.07%

DOCT vs. DDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DOCT and DDEC have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

DOCT vs. DDEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither DOCT nor DDEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DOCT and DDEC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, DOCT and DDEC 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, DOCT or DDEC?

DDEC has higher volatility (1.52%) compared to DOCT (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DOCT dropped -9.92% vs DDEC's -10.22%.

Which ETF is better, DOCT or DDEC?

On 5-year performance, DDEC leads with 8.31% vs 7.83% for DOCT. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, DOCT has been the lower-risk option at 1.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DOCT or DDEC?

Over the 5-year period, DDEC has performed better with a 8.31% return vs 7.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DOCT or DDEC?

DOCT and DDEC have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DOCT or DDEC?

DOCT and DDEC have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DOCT and DDEC?

Both ETFs track S&P 500.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DOCT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 2.16), 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.