QDEC vs. BGLD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QDEC (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December) and BGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDEC is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BGLD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, QDEC returned 10.15%/yr vs 10.99%/yr for BGLD. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QDEC charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BGLD.

Performance

QDEC vs. BGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QDEC achieves a 7.96% return, which is significantly higher than BGLD's -3.71% return.

QDEC

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: -0.54%
• YTD: 7.96%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 22.88%
• 3Y*: 16.64%
• 5Y*: 10.15%
• 10Y*: —

BGLD

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: -4.77%
• YTD: -3.71%
• 6M: -6.89%
• 1Y: 7.94%
• 3Y*: 18.31%
• 5Y*: 10.99%
• 10Y*: —

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

QDEC vs. BGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	7.96%	18.12%	16.40%	29.29%	-22.26%	15.43%
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	-3.71%	33.03%	21.80%	13.24%	-2.42%	-5.53%

Correlation

The correlation between QDEC and BGLD is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2021	0.12

Return for Risk

QDEC vs. BGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDEC

QDEC Risk / Return Rank: 76
QDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
QDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
QDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
QDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 79

BGLD

BGLD Risk / Return Rank: 18
BGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
BGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
BGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 20
BGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
BGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

QDEC vs. BGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). 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.

	QDEC	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	0.64	+1.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	0.92	+2.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.13	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	0.70	+2.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.26	1.96	+12.30

QDEC vs. BGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is higher than the BGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEC and BGLD, 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

QDEC vs. BGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEC drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, which is greater than BGLD's maximum drawdown of -16.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEC and BGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDEC	BGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-16.19%	-9.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	-11.42%	+3.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.08%	-11.42%	-4.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.25%	-15.42%	-9.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.65%	-10.95%	+9.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-3.69%	-1.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	4.07%	-2.46%

Volatility

QDEC vs. BGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) is 3.28%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) has a volatility of 4.56%. This indicates that QDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDEC	BGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	4.56%	-1.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.91%	10.79%	-2.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.17%	12.55%	-2.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.75%	10.13%	+4.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.60%	10.02%	+4.58%

QDEC vs. BGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDEC has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than BGLD's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDEC vs. BGLD - Dividend Comparison

QDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 46.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	46.03%	44.32%	25.04%	10.49%	0.40%
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDEC and BGLD in my portfolio?

QDEC and BGLD have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QDEC or BGLD?

BGLD has higher volatility (4.56%) compared to QDEC (3.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEC dropped -25.25% vs BGLD's -16.19%.

Which ETF is better, QDEC or BGLD?

On 5-year performance, BGLD leads with 10.99% vs 10.15% for QDEC. On fees, QDEC is cheaper at 0.90% per year. On volatility, QDEC has been the lower-risk option at 3.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDEC or BGLD?

Over the 5-year period, BGLD has performed better with a 10.99% return vs 10.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDEC or BGLD?

QDEC is cheaper with a 0.90% expense ratio, compared with 0.91% for BGLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QDEC or BGLD?

BGLD has the higher dividend yield at 46.03%, compared with 0.00% for QDEC.

What is the main difference between QDEC and BGLD?

QDEC is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while BGLD is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QDEC and 0.91% for BGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 0.64), 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.