FCTE vs. DDTL

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

FCTE (SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF) and DDTL (Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - July) are both exchange-traded funds - FCTE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by SMI 3Fourteen, while DDTL is a Defined Outcome fund managed by Innovator. Over the past year, FCTE returned 11.33% vs 11.79% for DDTL. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FCTE charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for DDTL.

Performance

FCTE vs. DDTL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF (FCTE) and Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - July (DDTL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCTE achieves a 17.12% return, which is significantly higher than DDTL's 5.59% return.

FCTE

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 5.07%
• 6M: 12.63%
• YTD: 17.12%
• 1Y: 11.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DDTL

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 1.01%
• 6M: 5.09%
• YTD: 5.59%
• 1Y: 11.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FCTE vs. DDTL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FCTE SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF	17.12%	-6.31%
DDTL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - July	5.59%	4.70%

Correlation

The correlation between FCTE and DDTL is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2025	0.56

The correlation between FCTE and DDTL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FCTE vs. DDTL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCTE

FCTE Risk / Return Rank: 22
FCTE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
FCTE Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
FCTE Omega Ratio Rank: 21
FCTE Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
FCTE Martin Ratio Rank: 22

DDTL

DDTL Risk / Return Rank: 86
DDTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
DDTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DDTL Omega Ratio Rank: 90
DDTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
DDTL Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

FCTE vs. DDTL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF (FCTE) and Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - July (DDTL). 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.

	FCTE	DDTL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	2.22	-1.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.05	3.25	-2.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.46	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.79	3.12	-2.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.20	16.25	-14.04

FCTE vs. DDTL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCTE Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the DDTL Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCTE and DDTL, 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

FCTE vs. DDTL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCTE drawdown since its inception was -19.68%, which is greater than DDTL's maximum drawdown of -3.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCTE and DDTL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCTE	DDTL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.68%	-3.78%	-15.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.85%	-3.78%	-9.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	0.00%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.76%	-0.43%	-5.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.59%	0.72%	+3.87%

Volatility

FCTE vs. DDTL - Volatility Comparison

SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF (FCTE) has a higher volatility of 4.55% compared to Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - July (DDTL) at 1.00%. This indicates that FCTE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DDTL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCTE	DDTL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.55%	1.00%	+3.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.58%	4.04%	+8.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.26%	5.31%	+9.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.54%	5.56%	+12.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.54%	5.56%	+12.98%

FCTE vs. DDTL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCTE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than DDTL's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCTE vs. DDTL - Dividend Comparison

FCTE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.08%, while DDTL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
DDTL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FCTE SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF	0.08%	0.18%	0.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCTE and DDTL in my portfolio?

FCTE and DDTL have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCTE or DDTL?

FCTE has higher volatility (4.55%) compared to DDTL (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCTE dropped -19.68% vs DDTL's -3.78%.

Which ETF is better, FCTE or DDTL?

On 1-year performance, DDTL leads with 11.79% vs 11.33% for FCTE. On fees, DDTL is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, DDTL has been the lower-risk option at 1.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCTE or DDTL?

Over the 1-year period, DDTL has performed better with a 11.79% return vs 11.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCTE or DDTL?

DDTL is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FCTE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FCTE or DDTL?

FCTE has the higher dividend yield at 0.08%, compared with 0.00% for DDTL.

What is the main difference between FCTE and DDTL?

FCTE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DDTL is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: SMI 3Fourteen and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FCTE and 0.79% for DDTL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DDTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 0.66), 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.