EMSC vs. TDEC

Last updated Jul 28, 2026

EMSC (Sophus Capital Emerging Market Small Cap ETF) and TDEC (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - EMSC is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Sophus Capital, while TDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets. EMSC is actively managed, while TDEC is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. EMSC charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for TDEC.

Performance

EMSC vs. TDEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sophus Capital Emerging Market Small Cap ETF (EMSC) and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

EMSC

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: -5.04%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

TDEC

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: -0.72%
• 6M: 3.08%
• YTD: 7.45%
• 1Y: 15.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.62%

*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)
EMSC Sophus Capital Emerging Market Small Cap ETF	$589.48K	$425.09K	$1.71M
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	$98.03K	$94.56K	$193.79K

EMSC vs. TDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
EMSC Sophus Capital Emerging Market Small Cap ETF	-3.72%
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	-0.13%

Correlation

The correlation between EMSC and TDEC is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 2026	0.85

Return for Risk

EMSC vs. TDEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMSC

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

TDEC

TDEC Risk / Return Rank: 62
TDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
TDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
TDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 73
TDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
TDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

EMSC vs. TDEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sophus Capital Emerging Market Small Cap ETF (EMSC) 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.

	EMSC	TDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.42	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.98	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.30	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.89	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	7.79	—

Drawdowns

EMSC vs. TDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMSC drawdown since its inception was -10.93%, which is greater than TDEC's maximum drawdown of -10.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMSC and TDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMSC	TDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.93%	-10.30%	-0.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.16%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.52%	-2.32%	-8.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.85%	-1.10%	-3.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.98%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	EMSC	TDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.98%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.11%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.50%	10.90%	+19.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.50%	11.92%	+18.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.50%	11.92%	+18.58%

EMSC vs. TDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMSC has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than TDEC's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMSC vs. TDEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither EMSC nor TDEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMSC and TDEC in my portfolio?

EMSC and TDEC have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, EMSC or TDEC?

On fees, EMSC is cheaper at 0.85% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMSC or TDEC?

EMSC is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TDEC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EMSC or TDEC?

EMSC and TDEC have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between EMSC and TDEC?

EMSC is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while TDEC is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Sophus Capital and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for EMSC and 0.95% for TDEC.