EMIF vs. TDEC
EMIF (iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF) and TDEC (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - EMIF is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets Infrastructure Index, while TDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, EMIF returned 20.42% vs 20.35% for TDEC. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMIF charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for TDEC.
Performance
EMIF vs. TDEC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EMIF achieves a 1.13% return, which is significantly lower than TDEC's 7.66% return.
EMIF
- 1D
- -0.50%
- 1M
- -2.11%
- YTD
- 1.13%
- 6M
- -0.46%
- 1Y
- 20.42%
- 3Y*
- 11.63%
- 5Y*
- 4.64%
- 10Y*
- 2.41%
TDEC
- 1D
- -2.13%
- 1M
- -0.09%
- YTD
- 7.66%
- 6M
- 8.74%
- 1Y
- 20.35%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
EMIF vs. TDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
EMIF iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF | 1.13% | 33.90% | -0.02% |
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 7.66% | 21.39% | -0.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between EMIF and TDEC is 0.54, 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 | 0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2024 | 0.54 |
The correlation between EMIF and TDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
EMIF vs. TDEC — Risk / Return Rank
EMIF
TDEC
EMIF vs. TDEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF (EMIF) and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC). 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.
| EMIF | TDEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.63 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.75 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.43 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.32 | 2.51 | -1.19 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.91 | 10.81 | -6.90 |
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Drawdowns
EMIF vs. TDEC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EMIF drawdown since its inception was -48.02%, which is greater than TDEC's maximum drawdown of -10.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMIF and TDEC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EMIF | TDEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -48.02% | -10.30% | -37.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.57% | -8.16% | -7.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.70% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.29% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -48.02% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.97% | -2.13% | -10.84% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.90% | -1.05% | -14.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.24% | 1.89% | +3.35% |
Volatility
EMIF vs. TDEC - Volatility Comparison
iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF (EMIF) has a higher volatility of 5.59% compared to FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) at 4.52%. This indicates that EMIF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EMIF | TDEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.59% | 4.52% | +1.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.43% | 9.98% | +3.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.01% | 10.71% | +5.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.74% | 12.03% | +7.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.58% | 12.03% | +8.55% |
EMIF vs. TDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison
EMIF has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than TDEC's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
EMIF vs. TDEC - Dividend Comparison
EMIF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.18%, while TDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMIF iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF | 4.18% | 4.96% | 4.12% | 2.64% | 3.08% | 3.94% | 2.54% | 2.07% | 2.64% | 2.58% | 3.16% | 2.07% |
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EMIF and TDEC have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EMIF has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to TDEC (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMIF dropped -48.02% vs TDEC's -10.30%.
On 1-year performance, EMIF leads with 20.42% vs 20.35% for TDEC. On fees, EMIF is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, TDEC has been the lower-risk option at 4.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, EMIF has performed better with a 20.42% return vs 20.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EMIF is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TDEC.
EMIF has the higher dividend yield at 4.18%, compared with 0.00% for TDEC.
EMIF is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while TDEC is Defined Outcome. EMIF tracks S&P Emerging Markets Infrastructure Index, while TDEC tracks MSCI Emerging Markets. They also come from different issuers: iShares and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for EMIF and 0.95% for TDEC.
TDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.28), 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.
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