TDEC vs. DEM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TDEC (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December) and DEM (WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - TDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets, while DEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity income Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, TDEC returned 20.35% vs 28.27% for DEM. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TDEC charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for DEM.

Performance

TDEC vs. DEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TDEC achieves a 7.66% return, which is significantly lower than DEM's 18.12% return.

TDEC

• 1D: -2.13%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 7.66%
• 6M: 8.74%
• 1Y: 20.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DEM

• 1D: -1.93%
• 1M: 1.59%
• YTD: 18.12%
• 6M: 18.38%
• 1Y: 28.27%
• 3Y*: 18.30%
• 5Y*: 9.65%
• 10Y*: 10.52%

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

TDEC vs. DEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	7.66%	21.39%	-0.75%
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	18.12%	21.29%	-0.42%

Correlation

The correlation between TDEC and DEM is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2024	0.82

The correlation between TDEC and DEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TDEC vs. DEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

TDEC

TDEC Risk / Return Rank: 65
TDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
TDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
TDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
TDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
TDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 65

DEM

DEM Risk / Return Rank: 66
DEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
DEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
DEM Omega Ratio Rank: 63
DEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
DEM Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

TDEC vs. DEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) and WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM). 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	DEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	1.98	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	2.72	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.36	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	3.60	-1.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.81	12.31	-1.50

TDEC vs. DEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TDEC Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the DEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TDEC and DEM, 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. DEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.30%, smaller than the maximum DEM drawdown of -51.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TDEC and DEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	TDEC	DEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.30%	-51.85%	+41.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.16%	-7.89%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.64%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.18%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.13%	-2.71%	+0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.05%	-12.87%	+11.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	2.30%	-0.41%

Volatility

TDEC vs. DEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) is 4.52%, while WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) has a volatility of 6.28%. This indicates that TDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TDEC	DEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	6.28%	-1.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.98%	12.40%	-2.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.71%	14.33%	-3.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.03%	15.49%	-3.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.03%	17.87%	-5.84%

TDEC vs. DEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

TDEC has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than DEM's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

TDEC vs. DEM - Dividend Comparison

TDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.82%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	3.82%	4.88%	5.24%	5.49%	8.62%	5.87%	4.21%	4.78%	4.47%	3.67%	3.63%	5.21%
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TDEC and DEM in my portfolio?

TDEC and DEM have a correlation of 0.80, 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 DEM?

DEM has higher volatility (6.28%) compared to TDEC (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TDEC dropped -10.30% vs DEM's -51.85%.

Which ETF is better, TDEC or DEM?

On 1-year performance, DEM leads with 28.27% vs 20.35% for TDEC. On fees, DEM is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, TDEC has been the lower-risk option at 4.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TDEC or DEM?

Over the 1-year period, DEM has performed better with a 28.27% return vs 20.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TDEC or DEM?

DEM is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TDEC.

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

DEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.82%, compared with 0.00% for TDEC.

What is the main difference between TDEC and DEM?

TDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while DEM is Emerging Markets Equities. TDEC tracks MSCI Emerging Markets, while DEM tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity income Index. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for TDEC and 0.63% for DEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.91), 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.