OCTW vs. DECW

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

OCTW (AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 Oct ETF) and DECW (Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - OCTW is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, while DECW is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Allianz. OCTW is passively managed, while DECW is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, OCTW returned 10.38%/yr vs 10.72%/yr for DECW. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.74% expense ratio.

Performance

OCTW vs. DECW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 Oct ETF (OCTW) and Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF (DECW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with OCTW having a 4.28% return and DECW slightly higher at 4.30%.

OCTW

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 4.28%
• 6M: 3.91%
• 1Y: 10.70%
• 3Y*: 10.38%
• 5Y*: 8.71%
• 10Y*: —

DECW

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: -0.30%
• YTD: 4.30%
• 6M: 3.89%
• 1Y: 13.21%
• 3Y*: 10.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

OCTW vs. DECW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
OCTW AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 Oct ETF	4.28%	9.68%	8.67%	17.57%	-1.48%
DECW Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF	4.30%	11.57%	8.64%	16.16%	-2.55%

Correlation

The correlation between OCTW and DECW is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 2022	0.87

The correlation between OCTW and DECW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

OCTW vs. DECW — Risk / Return Rank

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

OCTW

OCTW Risk / Return Rank: 79
OCTW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
OCTW Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
OCTW Omega Ratio Rank: 85
OCTW Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
OCTW Martin Ratio Rank: 83

DECW

DECW Risk / Return Rank: 85
DECW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DECW Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
DECW Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DECW Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
DECW Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

OCTW vs. DECW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 Oct ETF (OCTW) and Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF (DECW). 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.

	OCTW	DECW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.36	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	3.51	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.47	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.94	3.44	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.94	17.22	-2.28

OCTW vs. DECW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OCTW Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the DECW Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OCTW and DECW, 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

OCTW vs. DECW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OCTW drawdown since its inception was -8.38%, roughly equal to the maximum DECW drawdown of -8.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OCTW and DECW.

Drawdown Indicators

	OCTW	DECW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.38%	-8.76%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.65%	-3.86%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.38%	-8.76%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-0.73%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.81%	-0.86%	+0.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.72%	0.77%	-0.05%

Volatility

OCTW vs. DECW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 Oct ETF (OCTW) is 1.30%, while Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF (DECW) has a volatility of 1.54%. This indicates that OCTW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DECW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OCTW	DECW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.30%	1.54%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.88%	4.11%	-0.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.90%	5.62%	-0.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.31%	7.09%	-0.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.13%	7.09%	-0.96%

OCTW vs. DECW - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both OCTW and DECW have an expense ratio of 0.74%.

Dividends

OCTW vs. DECW - Dividend Comparison

Neither OCTW nor DECW has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
DECW Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF	0.00%	0.00%	1.17%
OCTW AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 Oct ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OCTW and DECW in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, OCTW and DECW 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, OCTW or DECW?

DECW has higher volatility (1.54%) compared to OCTW (1.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OCTW dropped -8.38% vs DECW's -8.76%.

Which ETF is better, OCTW or DECW?

On 3-year performance, DECW leads with 10.72% vs 10.38% for OCTW. Both ETFs have the same 0.74% expense ratio. On volatility, OCTW has been the lower-risk option at 1.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OCTW or DECW?

Over the 3-year period, DECW has performed better with a 10.72% return vs 10.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OCTW or DECW?

OCTW and DECW have the same expense ratio: 0.74% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OCTW or DECW?

OCTW and DECW have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between OCTW and DECW?

OCTW is categorized as Defined Outcome, while DECW is Options Trading.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DECW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.19), 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.