FDEC vs. FBUF

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December) and FBUF (Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FDEC returned 17.72% vs 19.00% for FBUF. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FDEC charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for FBUF.

Performance

FDEC vs. FBUF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FDEC having a 7.80% return and FBUF slightly higher at 7.94%.

FDEC

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 1.43%
• 6M: 6.60%
• YTD: 7.80%
• 1Y: 17.72%
• 3Y*: 15.06%
• 5Y*: 10.52%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.38%

FBUF

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 3.11%
• 6M: 5.93%
• YTD: 7.94%
• 1Y: 19.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.25%

*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)
FBUF Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF	$202.49K	$184.01K	$259.55K
FDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December	$730.86K	$640.26K	$2.05M

FDEC vs. FBUF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December	7.80%	14.82%	8.89%
FBUF Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF	7.94%	14.01%	10.55%

Correlation

The correlation between FDEC and FBUF is 0.92, 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.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2024	0.88

The correlation between FDEC and FBUF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FDEC vs. FBUF — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDEC

FDEC Risk / Return Rank: 88
FDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
FDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 90

FBUF

FBUF Risk / Return Rank: 88
FBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
FBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

FDEC vs. FBUF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December (FDEC) and Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF (FBUF). 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.

	FDEC	FBUF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.26	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	3.04	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.44	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	3.40	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.39	14.19	+1.19

FDEC vs. FBUF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the FBUF Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDEC and FBUF, 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

FDEC vs. FBUF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDEC drawdown since its inception was -15.67%, which is greater than FBUF's maximum drawdown of -11.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDEC and FBUF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDEC	FBUF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.67%	-11.09%	-4.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.83%	-5.61%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.04%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.67%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.51%	-1.34%	-1.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.15%	1.34%	-0.19%

Volatility

FDEC vs. FBUF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December (FDEC) is 2.10%, while Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF (FBUF) has a volatility of 2.89%. This indicates that FDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FBUF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDEC	FBUF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.10%	2.89%	-0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.24%	6.41%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.79%	8.46%	-0.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.27%	9.66%	+1.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.92%	9.66%	+1.26%

FDEC vs. FBUF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDEC has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than FBUF's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDEC vs. FBUF - Dividend Comparison

FDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FBUF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.57%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FBUF Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF	0.57%	0.64%	0.54%
FDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDEC and FBUF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, FDEC and FBUF 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, FDEC or FBUF?

FBUF has higher volatility (2.89%) compared to FDEC (2.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDEC dropped -15.67% vs FBUF's -11.09%.

Which ETF is better, FDEC or FBUF?

On 1-year performance, FBUF leads with 19.00% vs 17.72% for FDEC. On fees, FBUF is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, FDEC has been the lower-risk option at 2.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDEC or FBUF?

Over the 1-year period, FBUF has performed better with a 19.00% return vs 17.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDEC or FBUF?

FBUF is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FDEC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FDEC or FBUF?

FBUF has the higher dividend yield at 0.57%, compared with 0.00% for FDEC.

What is the main difference between FDEC and FBUF?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FDEC and 0.48% for FBUF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.26), 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.