FFEB vs. DOCT

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FFEB (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - February) and DOCT (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October) are both Defined Outcome funds from FT Vest. FFEB is actively managed, while DOCT is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FFEB returned 10.91%/yr vs 7.90%/yr for DOCT. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

FFEB vs. DOCT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - February (FFEB) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October (DOCT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FFEB achieves a 9.10% return, which is significantly higher than DOCT's 6.67% return.

FFEB

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 1.25%
• 6M: 7.65%
• YTD: 9.10%
• 1Y: 17.22%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: 10.91%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.72%

DOCT

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 1.25%
• 6M: 5.69%
• YTD: 6.67%
• 1Y: 14.53%
• 3Y*: 10.45%
• 5Y*: 7.90%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 24.84%

*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)
DOCT FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October	$388.39K	$498.61K	$555.91K
FFEB FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - February	$887.23K	$764.21K	$1.75M

FFEB vs. DOCT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FFEB FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - February	9.10%	13.76%	16.64%	19.95%	-7.51%	16.26%	6.81%
DOCT FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October	6.67%	12.50%	8.28%	16.13%	-5.27%	6.89%	145.61%

Correlation

The correlation between FFEB and DOCT is 0.95 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 17, 2020	0.85

The correlation between FFEB and DOCT shifts across timeframes, from 0.85 (all time) to 0.95 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FFEB vs. DOCT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FFEB	DOCT
Technology	37.9%	37.9%
Financial Services	11.7%	11.7%
Communication Services	10.0%	10.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	9.6%
Healthcare	9.1%	9.1%
Industrials	8.4%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.6%
Energy	3.0%	3.0%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.7%

Return for Risk

FFEB vs. DOCT — Risk / Return Rank

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

FFEB

FFEB Risk / Return Rank: 89
FFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
FFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
FFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 91

DOCT

DOCT Risk / Return Rank: 91
DOCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
DOCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
DOCT Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DOCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
DOCT Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

FFEB vs. DOCT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - February (FFEB) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October (DOCT). 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.

	FFEB	DOCT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.49	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	3.80	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.49	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.36	-0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.60	16.76	-1.16

FFEB vs. DOCT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FFEB Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the DOCT Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FFEB and DOCT, 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

FFEB vs. DOCT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FFEB drawdown since its inception was -23.14%, which is greater than DOCT's maximum drawdown of -9.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FFEB and DOCT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FFEB	DOCT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.14%	-9.92%	-13.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.73%	-4.34%	-1.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.89%	-9.92%	-1.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.85%	-9.92%	-3.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.38%	-1.50%	-0.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.11%	0.87%	+0.24%

Volatility

FFEB vs. DOCT - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - February (FFEB) has a higher volatility of 1.92% compared to FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October (DOCT) at 1.43%. This indicates that FFEB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DOCT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FFEB	DOCT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.92%	1.43%	+0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.01%	4.55%	+1.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.31%	5.87%	+1.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.83%	7.38%	+3.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.62%	47.90%	-34.28%

FFEB vs. DOCT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FFEB and DOCT have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

FFEB vs. DOCT - Dividend Comparison

Neither FFEB nor DOCT has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FFEB and DOCT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, FFEB and DOCT 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, FFEB or DOCT?

FFEB has higher volatility (1.92%) compared to DOCT (1.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FFEB dropped -23.14% vs DOCT's -9.92%.

Which ETF is better, FFEB or DOCT?

On 5-year performance, FFEB leads with 10.91% vs 7.90% for DOCT. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, DOCT 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, FFEB or DOCT?

Over the 5-year period, FFEB has performed better with a 10.91% return vs 7.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FFEB or DOCT?

FFEB and DOCT have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FFEB or DOCT?

FFEB and DOCT have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DOCT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.37), 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.