TDEC vs. EMOP

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TDEC (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December) and EMOP (AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets, while EMOP is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. TDEC is passively managed, while EMOP is actively managed. Over the past year, TDEC returned 20.35% vs 47.69% for EMOP. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TDEC charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for EMOP.

Performance

TDEC vs. EMOP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) and AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF (EMOP). 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 EMOP's 27.21% return.

TDEC

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

EMOP

• 1D: -4.78%
• 1M: 1.88%
• YTD: 27.21%
• 6M: 28.58%
• 1Y: 47.69%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TDEC vs. EMOP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	7.66%	11.99%
EMOP AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF	27.21%	16.48%

Correlation

The correlation between TDEC and EMOP is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 18, 2025	0.89

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

Return for Risk

TDEC vs. EMOP — 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

EMOP

EMOP Risk / Return Rank: 76
EMOP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
EMOP Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
EMOP Omega Ratio Rank: 78
EMOP Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
EMOP Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. EMOP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) and AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF (EMOP). 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	EMOP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	2.21	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	2.81	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.41	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	3.72	-1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.81	13.88	-3.07

TDEC vs. EMOP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TDEC Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the EMOP Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TDEC and EMOP, 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. EMOP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.30%, smaller than the maximum EMOP drawdown of -12.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TDEC and EMOP.

Drawdown Indicators

	TDEC	EMOP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.30%	-12.88%	+2.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.16%	-12.88%	+4.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.13%	-4.78%	+2.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.05%	-2.00%	+0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	3.44%	-1.55%

Volatility

TDEC vs. EMOP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) is 4.52%, while AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF (EMOP) has a volatility of 10.76%. This indicates that TDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMOP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TDEC	EMOP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	10.76%	-6.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.98%	19.59%	-9.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.71%	21.65%	-10.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.03%	21.57%	-9.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.03%	21.57%	-9.54%

TDEC vs. EMOP - Expense Ratio Comparison

TDEC has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than EMOP's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

TDEC vs. EMOP - Dividend Comparison

TDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while EMOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%.

Position	TTM	2025
EMOP AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF	0.85%	0.27%
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TDEC and EMOP in my portfolio?

TDEC and EMOP 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, TDEC or EMOP?

EMOP has higher volatility (10.76%) compared to TDEC (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TDEC dropped -10.30% vs EMOP's -12.88%.

Which ETF is better, TDEC or EMOP?

On 1-year performance, EMOP leads with 47.69% vs 20.35% for TDEC. On fees, EMOP is cheaper at 0.70% 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 EMOP?

Over the 1-year period, EMOP has performed better with a 47.69% 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 EMOP?

EMOP is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TDEC.

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

EMOP has the higher dividend yield at 0.85%, compared with 0.00% for TDEC.

What is the main difference between TDEC and EMOP?

TDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while EMOP is Emerging Markets Equities. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for TDEC and 0.70% for EMOP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMOP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 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.