FDEC vs. PAPR

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

FDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December) and PAPR (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April) are both Defined Outcome funds. FDEC is actively managed, while PAPR is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FDEC returned 10.15%/yr vs 8.10%/yr for PAPR. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDEC charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for PAPR.

Performance

FDEC vs. PAPR - 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 Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April (PAPR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDEC achieves a 5.27% return, which is significantly lower than PAPR's 7.36% return.

FDEC

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -0.35%
• YTD: 5.27%
• 6M: 4.60%
• 1Y: 16.98%
• 3Y*: 14.98%
• 5Y*: 10.15%
• 10Y*: —

PAPR

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 7.36%
• 6M: 7.33%
• 1Y: 13.33%
• 3Y*: 11.16%
• 5Y*: 8.10%
• 10Y*: —

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

FDEC vs. PAPR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December	5.27%	14.82%	14.32%	22.76%	-9.18%	14.12%	1.74%
PAPR Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April	7.36%	6.58%	12.28%	16.45%	-4.29%	7.51%	0.15%

Correlation

The correlation between FDEC and PAPR is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 21, 2020	0.87

The correlation between FDEC and PAPR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

FDEC vs. PAPR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDEC	PAPR
Technology	39.0%	38.4%
Financial Services	11.1%	11.0%
Communication Services	10.6%	10.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	10.0%
Healthcare	8.3%	8.4%
Industrials	7.8%	7.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	4.6%
Energy	3.1%	3.2%
Utilities	2.1%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.7%

Return for Risk

FDEC vs. PAPR — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDEC

FDEC Risk / Return Rank: 79
FDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
FDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
FDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
FDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 83

PAPR

PAPR Risk / Return Rank: 98
PAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

FDEC vs. PAPR - 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 Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April (PAPR). 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	PAPR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	3.96	-1.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	6.82	-3.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.93	-0.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	11.54	-8.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.87	58.72	-43.84

FDEC vs. PAPR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is lower than the PAPR Sharpe Ratio of 3.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDEC and PAPR, 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. PAPR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDEC drawdown since its inception was -15.67%, roughly equal to the maximum PAPR drawdown of -15.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDEC and PAPR.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDEC	PAPR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.67%	-15.31%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.83%	-1.16%	-4.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.04%	-11.87%	-1.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.67%	-11.87%	-3.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.24%	-0.54%	-0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.55%	-1.56%	-0.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.14%	0.23%	+0.91%

Volatility

FDEC vs. PAPR - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December (FDEC) has a higher volatility of 2.25% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April (PAPR) at 1.43%. This indicates that FDEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PAPR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDEC	PAPR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.25%	1.43%	+0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.14%	2.77%	+3.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.72%	3.42%	+4.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.25%	8.22%	+3.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.99%	9.42%	+1.57%

FDEC vs. PAPR - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDEC has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PAPR's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDEC vs. PAPR - Dividend Comparison

Neither FDEC nor PAPR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PAPR Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDEC and PAPR in my portfolio?

FDEC and PAPR have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDEC or PAPR?

FDEC has higher volatility (2.25%) compared to PAPR (1.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDEC dropped -15.67% vs PAPR's -15.31%.

Which ETF is better, FDEC or PAPR?

On 5-year performance, FDEC leads with 10.15% vs 8.10% for PAPR. On fees, PAPR is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, PAPR has been the lower-risk option at 1.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDEC or PAPR?

Over the 5-year period, FDEC has performed better with a 10.15% return vs 8.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDEC or PAPR?

PAPR is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FDEC.

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

FDEC and PAPR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FDEC and PAPR?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FDEC and 0.79% for PAPR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.96 vs 2.22), 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.