TDEC vs. BUFQ

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

TDEC (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December) and BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets, while BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, TDEC returned 18.52% vs 16.96% for BUFQ. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. TDEC charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for BUFQ.

Performance

TDEC vs. BUFQ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with TDEC having a 9.71% return and BUFQ slightly lower at 9.68%.

TDEC

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 1.05%
• 6M: 5.71%
• YTD: 9.71%
• 1Y: 18.52%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.86%

BUFQ

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 0.59%
• 6M: 10.08%
• YTD: 9.68%
• 1Y: 16.96%
• 3Y*: 15.98%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.06%

*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)
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	$5.26M	$5.31M	$5.93M
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	$45.14K	$70.00K	$193.92K

TDEC vs. BUFQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	9.71%	21.39%	-0.75%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	9.68%	14.03%	-0.47%

Correlation

The correlation between TDEC and BUFQ is 0.74, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2024	0.67

The correlation between TDEC and BUFQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TDEC vs. BUFQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

TDEC

TDEC Risk / Return Rank: 64
TDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
TDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
TDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
TDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
TDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 67

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 78
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 75
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

TDEC vs. BUFQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). 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.

	TDEC	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	1.87	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.79	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.35	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	3.16	-0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.25	14.09	-4.84

TDEC vs. BUFQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TDEC Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the BUFQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TDEC and BUFQ, 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

TDEC vs. BUFQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.30%, smaller than the maximum BUFQ drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TDEC and BUFQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	TDEC	BUFQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.30%	-15.74%	+5.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.16%	-5.39%	-2.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.25%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.11%	-2.26%	+1.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	1.21%	+0.80%

Volatility

TDEC vs. BUFQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) is 3.32%, while FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) has a volatility of 3.59%. This indicates that TDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TDEC	BUFQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.32%	3.59%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.28%	7.50%	+2.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.05%	9.14%	+1.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.95%	13.27%	-1.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.95%	13.27%	-1.32%

TDEC vs. BUFQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

TDEC has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFQ's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

TDEC vs. BUFQ - Dividend Comparison

Neither TDEC nor BUFQ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TDEC and BUFQ in my portfolio?

TDEC and BUFQ have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TDEC or BUFQ?

BUFQ has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to TDEC (3.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TDEC dropped -10.30% vs BUFQ's -15.74%.

Which ETF is better, TDEC or BUFQ?

On 1-year performance, TDEC leads with 18.52% vs 16.96% for BUFQ. On fees, TDEC is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, TDEC has been the lower-risk option at 3.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TDEC or BUFQ?

Over the 1-year period, TDEC has performed better with a 18.52% return vs 16.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TDEC or BUFQ?

TDEC is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

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

TDEC and BUFQ have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between TDEC and BUFQ?

TDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while BUFQ is Nasdaq-100. TDEC tracks MSCI Emerging Markets, while BUFQ tracks NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for TDEC and 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.68), 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.