PEMX vs. TDEC

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

PEMX (Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) and TDEC (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - PEMX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Putnam, while TDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets. PEMX is actively managed, while TDEC is passively managed. Over the past year, PEMX returned 48.11% vs 18.15% for TDEC. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PEMX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for TDEC.

Performance

PEMX vs. TDEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (PEMX) and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PEMX achieves a 26.42% return, which is significantly higher than TDEC's 8.27% return.

PEMX

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: -7.11%
• 6M: 15.00%
• YTD: 26.42%
• 1Y: 48.11%
• 3Y*: 28.43%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 29.45%

TDEC

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 0.74%
• 6M: 4.07%
• YTD: 8.27%
• 1Y: 18.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.05%

*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)
PEMX Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	$78.06K	$81.41K	$258.35K
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	$55.89K	$75.20K	$190.42K

PEMX vs. TDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PEMX Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	26.42%	34.01%	-0.20%
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	8.27%	21.39%	-0.75%

Correlation

The correlation between PEMX and TDEC is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2024	0.84

The correlation between PEMX and TDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PEMX vs. TDEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEMX

PEMX Risk / Return Rank: 73
PEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
PEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
PEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
PEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

TDEC

TDEC Risk / Return Rank: 70
TDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
TDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
TDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 80
TDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
TDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

PEMX vs. TDEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (PEMX) and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC). 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.

	PEMX	TDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.59	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	2.22	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.34	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	2.16	+0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.02	8.78	+0.24

PEMX vs. TDEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the TDEC Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEMX and TDEC, 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

PEMX vs. TDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEMX drawdown since its inception was -19.04%, which is greater than TDEC's maximum drawdown of -10.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEMX and TDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEMX	TDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.04%	-10.30%	-8.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.04%	-8.16%	-10.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.04%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.50%	-1.58%	-12.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.11%	-1.12%	-1.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.27%	2.01%	+3.26%

Volatility

PEMX vs. TDEC - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (PEMX) has a higher volatility of 10.79% compared to FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) at 3.54%. This indicates that PEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEMX	TDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.79%	3.54%	+7.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.23%	10.30%	+14.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.22%	11.07%	+16.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.23%	11.98%	+8.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.23%	11.98%	+8.25%

PEMX vs. TDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEMX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than TDEC's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEMX vs. TDEC - Dividend Comparison

PEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.54%, while TDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
PEMX Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	5.54%	7.00%	5.00%	0.72%
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PEMX and TDEC in my portfolio?

PEMX and TDEC have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PEMX or TDEC?

PEMX has higher volatility (10.79%) compared to TDEC (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEMX dropped -19.04% vs TDEC's -10.30%.

Which ETF is better, PEMX or TDEC?

On 1-year performance, PEMX leads with 48.11% vs 18.15% for TDEC. On fees, PEMX is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, TDEC has been the lower-risk option at 3.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PEMX or TDEC?

Over the 1-year period, PEMX has performed better with a 48.11% return vs 18.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PEMX or TDEC?

PEMX is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TDEC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PEMX or TDEC?

PEMX has the higher dividend yield at 5.54%, compared with 0.00% for TDEC.

What is the main difference between PEMX and TDEC?

PEMX is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while TDEC is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Putnam and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for PEMX and 0.95% for TDEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.59), 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.