FSEP vs. GDEC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) and GDEC (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December) are both Options Trading funds from FT Vest. FSEP is passively managed, while GDEC is actively managed. Over the past year, FSEP returned 17.62% vs 15.63% for GDEC. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

FSEP vs. GDEC - 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 Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSEP achieves a 6.56% return, which is significantly higher than GDEC's 5.14% return.

FSEP

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 2.58%
• YTD: 6.56%
• 6M: 7.03%
• 1Y: 17.62%
• 3Y*: 14.44%
• 5Y*: 10.07%
• 10Y*: —

GDEC

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.94%
• YTD: 5.14%
• 6M: 6.04%
• 1Y: 15.63%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FSEP vs. GDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	6.56%	12.83%	13.56%	0.59%
GDEC FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December	5.14%	12.14%	11.45%	0.46%

Correlation

The correlation between FSEP and GDEC is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2023	0.89

The correlation between FSEP and GDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

FSEP vs. GDEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FSEP	GDEC
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

FSEP vs. GDEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSEP

FSEP Risk / Return Rank: 74
FSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
FSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 80

GDEC

GDEC Risk / Return Rank: 82
GDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
GDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
GDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 88
GDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
GDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

FSEP vs. GDEC - 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 Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC). 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.

	FSEP	GDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.67	-0.32
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	3.98	-0.58
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.55	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	3.28	-0.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.90	17.29	-1.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSEP vs. GDEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the GDEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSEP and GDEC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FSEP	GDEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36	2.67	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	1.52	-0.42

Drawdowns

FSEP vs. GDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSEP drawdown since its inception was -13.79%, which is greater than GDEC's maximum drawdown of -10.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSEP and GDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSEP	GDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.79%	-10.61%	-3.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.62%	-4.79%	-0.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.37%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.16%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.14%	-0.76%	-1.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.11%	0.91%	+0.20%

Volatility

FSEP vs. GDEC - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) has a higher volatility of 1.19% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC) at 0.87%. This indicates that FSEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSEP	GDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.19%	0.87%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.79%	4.63%	+1.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.52%	5.88%	+1.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.79%	7.96%	+2.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.54%	7.96%	+2.58%

FSEP vs. GDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

FSEP vs. GDEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither FSEP nor GDEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSEP and GDEC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, FSEP and GDEC 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 GDEC?

FSEP has higher volatility (1.19%) compared to GDEC (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSEP dropped -13.79% vs GDEC's -10.61%.

Which ETF is better, FSEP or GDEC?

On 1-year performance, FSEP leads with 17.62% vs 15.63% for GDEC. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, GDEC has been the lower-risk option at 0.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FSEP or GDEC?

Over the 1-year period, FSEP has performed better with a 17.62% return vs 15.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FSEP or GDEC?

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

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

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 2.36), 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.