GDEC vs. FSEP

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

GDEC (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December) and FSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) are both Options Trading funds from FT Vest. GDEC is actively managed, while FSEP is passively managed. Over the past year, GDEC returned 14.42% vs 15.95% for FSEP. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDEC achieves a 4.55% return, which is significantly lower than FSEP's 5.82% return.

GDEC

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: -0.01%
• YTD: 4.55%
• 6M: 4.31%
• 1Y: 14.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FSEP

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 5.82%
• 6M: 5.41%
• 1Y: 15.95%
• 3Y*: 13.62%
• 5Y*: 9.80%
• 10Y*: —

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

GDEC vs. FSEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GDEC FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December	4.55%	12.14%	11.45%	0.50%
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	5.82%	12.83%	13.56%	0.83%

Correlation

The correlation between GDEC and FSEP 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 18, 2023	0.89

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

Return for Risk

GDEC vs. FSEP — 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: 87
GDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 87
GDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
GDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 84

FSEP

FSEP Risk / Return Rank: 71
FSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 75
FSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
FSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. FSEP - 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 Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP). 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.

	GDEC	FSEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.11	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.57	3.02	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.41	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	2.85	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.74	14.23	+1.51

GDEC vs. FSEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the FSEP Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDEC and FSEP, 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

GDEC vs. FSEP - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	GDEC	FSEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.61%	-13.79%	+3.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.79%	-5.62%	+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	-0.74%	-0.96%	+0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.76%	-2.12%	+1.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	1.12%	-0.20%

Volatility

GDEC vs. FSEP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC) is 1.87%, while FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) has a volatility of 2.20%. This indicates that GDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDEC	FSEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.87%	2.20%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.95%	6.05%	-1.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.01%	7.62%	-1.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.95%	10.83%	-2.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.95%	10.53%	-2.58%

GDEC vs. FSEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

GDEC vs. FSEP - Dividend Comparison

Neither GDEC nor FSEP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDEC and FSEP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, GDEC and FSEP 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 FSEP?

FSEP has higher volatility (2.20%) compared to GDEC (1.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDEC dropped -10.61% vs FSEP's -13.79%.

Which ETF is better, GDEC or FSEP?

On 1-year performance, FSEP leads with 15.95% vs 14.42% for GDEC. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, GDEC has been the lower-risk option at 1.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDEC or FSEP?

Over the 1-year period, FSEP has performed better with a 15.95% return vs 14.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDEC or FSEP?

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

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

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.11), 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.