GDEC vs. DDEC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDEC (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December) and DDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - GDEC is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while DDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500. GDEC is actively managed, while DDEC is passively managed. Over the past year, GDEC returned 15.63% vs 16.08% for DDEC. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

GDEC vs. DDEC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with GDEC having a 5.14% return and DDEC slightly lower at 4.97%.

GDEC

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

DDEC

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: 4.97%
• 6M: 5.94%
• 1Y: 16.08%
• 3Y*: 12.69%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: —

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

GDEC vs. DDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GDEC FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December	5.14%	12.14%	11.45%	0.46%
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	4.97%	12.33%	12.26%	0.47%

Correlation

The correlation between GDEC and DDEC is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2023	0.92

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

GDEC vs. DDEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GDEC	DDEC
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

GDEC vs. DDEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

DDEC

DDEC Risk / Return Rank: 86
DDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
DDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 89
DDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
DDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

GDEC vs. DDEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC). 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.

	GDEC	DDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	2.79	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	4.12	-0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.57	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.28	3.87	-0.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.29	19.48	-2.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDEC vs. DDEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is comparable to the DDEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDEC and DDEC, 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

	GDEC	DDEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	2.79	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.19	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.52	1.25	+0.27

Drawdowns

GDEC vs. DDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.61%, roughly equal to the maximum DDEC drawdown of -10.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDEC and DDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDEC	DDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.61%	-10.22%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.79%	-4.18%	-0.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.40%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.19%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.76%	-1.87%	+1.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	0.83%	+0.08%

Volatility

GDEC vs. DDEC - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) have volatilities of 0.87% and 0.88%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDEC	DDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.87%	0.88%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.63%	4.36%	+0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.88%	5.79%	+0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.96%	7.02%	+0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.96%	6.87%	+1.09%

GDEC vs. DDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

GDEC vs. DDEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither GDEC nor DDEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDEC and DDEC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, GDEC and DDEC 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, GDEC or DDEC?

DDEC has higher volatility (0.88%) compared to GDEC (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDEC dropped -10.61% vs DDEC's -10.22%.

Which ETF is better, GDEC or DDEC?

On 1-year performance, DDEC leads with 16.08% vs 15.63% for GDEC. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDEC or DDEC?

Over the 1-year period, DDEC has performed better with a 16.08% return vs 15.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDEC or DDEC?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between GDEC and DDEC?

GDEC is categorized as Options Trading, while DDEC is Defined Outcome.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.67), 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.