FSEP vs. FDEC

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) and FDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - FSEP is a Options Trading fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index September, while FDEC is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. FSEP is passively managed, while FDEC is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FSEP returned 10.20%/yr vs 10.52%/yr for FDEC. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

FSEP vs. FDEC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSEP achieves a 8.36% return, which is significantly higher than FDEC's 7.80% return.

FSEP

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 1.42%
• 6M: 7.02%
• YTD: 8.36%
• 1Y: 15.51%
• 3Y*: 13.53%
• 5Y*: 10.20%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.55%

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%

*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)
FDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December	$730.86K	$640.26K	$2.05M
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	$980.77K	$991.65K	$2.90M

FSEP vs. FDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	8.36%	12.83%	13.56%	20.23%	-7.05%	11.61%	0.66%
FDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December	7.80%	14.82%	14.32%	22.76%	-9.18%	14.12%	1.74%

Correlation

The correlation between FSEP and FDEC is 0.97 - 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.	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 21, 2020	0.93

The correlation between FSEP and FDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FSEP vs. FDEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSEP

FSEP Risk / Return Rank: 83
FSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
FSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
FSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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

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.

FSEP vs. FDEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December (FDEC). 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.

	FSEP	FDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	2.29	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	3.32	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.44	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	3.05	-0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.70	15.39	-1.69

FSEP vs. FDEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the FDEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSEP and FDEC, 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

FSEP vs. FDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSEP drawdown since its inception was -13.79%, smaller than the maximum FDEC drawdown of -15.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSEP and FDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSEP	FDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.79%	-15.67%	+1.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.62%	-5.83%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.37%	-13.04%	+0.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.79%	-15.67%	+1.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.09%	-2.51%	+0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.13%	1.15%	-0.02%

Volatility

FSEP vs. FDEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) is 1.97%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December (FDEC) has a volatility of 2.10%. This indicates that FSEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSEP	FDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.97%	2.10%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.07%	6.24%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.69%	7.79%	-0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.87%	11.27%	-0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.46%	10.92%	-0.46%

FSEP vs. FDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FSEP and FDEC have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

FSEP vs. FDEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither FSEP nor FDEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSEP and FDEC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, FSEP and FDEC 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, FSEP or FDEC?

FDEC has higher volatility (2.10%) compared to FSEP (1.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSEP dropped -13.79% vs FDEC's -15.67%.

Which ETF is better, FSEP or FDEC?

On 5-year performance, FDEC leads with 10.52% vs 10.20% for FSEP. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, FSEP has been the lower-risk option at 1.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FSEP or FDEC?

Over the 5-year period, FDEC has performed better with a 10.52% return vs 10.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FSEP or FDEC?

FSEP and FDEC have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

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

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

What is the main difference between FSEP and FDEC?

FSEP is categorized as Options Trading, while FDEC is Defined Outcome.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.03), 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.