QDEC vs. ZAPR

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April (ZAPR).

QDEC and ZAPR are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. QDEC is an actively managed fund by FT Vest. It was launched on Dec 18, 2020. ZAPR is an actively managed fund by Innovator. It was launched on Apr 1, 2025.

Performance

QDEC vs. ZAPR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April (ZAPR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

QDEC vs. ZAPR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	-3.29%	23.36%
ZAPR Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April	1.24%	5.29%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QDEC achieves a -3.29% return, which is significantly lower than ZAPR's 1.24% return.

QDEC

• 1D: 2.74%
• 1M: -2.75%
• YTD: -3.29%
• 6M: 1.11%
• 1Y: 20.31%
• 3Y*: 14.90%
• 5Y*: 8.67%
• 10Y*: —

ZAPR

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 1.24%
• 6M: 2.59%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QDEC vs. ZAPR - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDEC has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than ZAPR's 0.79% expense ratio.

QDEC

FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December

ZAPR

Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April

Return for Risk

QDEC vs. ZAPR — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDEC

QDEC Risk / Return Rank: 79
QDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
QDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 78
QDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
QDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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. ZAPR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April (ZAPR). 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.

	QDEC	ZAPR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.19	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QDEC	ZAPR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.34	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	2.55	-1.92

Correlation

The correlation between QDEC and ZAPR is 0.68, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

QDEC vs. ZAPR - Dividend Comparison

Neither QDEC nor ZAPR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

QDEC vs. ZAPR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEC drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, which is greater than ZAPR's maximum drawdown of -1.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEC and ZAPR.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDEC	ZAPR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-1.72%	-23.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.45%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.25%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.04%	0.00%	-5.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.18%	-0.10%	-5.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QDEC	ZAPR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.92%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.04%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.27%	2.62%	+12.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.77%	2.62%	+12.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.77%	2.62%	+12.15%