TDEC vs. FSEP

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TDEC (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December) and FSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) are both exchange-traded funds - TDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets, while FSEP is a Options Trading fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index September. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, TDEC returned 22.62% vs 17.80% for FSEP. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TDEC charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FSEP.

Performance

TDEC vs. FSEP - 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 Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TDEC achieves a 8.78% return, which is significantly higher than FSEP's 6.77% return.

TDEC

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 8.78%
• 6M: 10.67%
• 1Y: 22.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FSEP

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 2.27%
• YTD: 6.77%
• 6M: 7.10%
• 1Y: 17.80%
• 3Y*: 14.60%
• 5Y*: 10.11%
• 10Y*: —

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

TDEC vs. FSEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	8.78%	21.39%	-0.70%
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	6.77%	12.83%	-0.81%

Correlation

The correlation between TDEC and FSEP is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 24, 2024	0.66

The correlation between TDEC and FSEP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TDEC vs. FSEP — Risk / Return Rank

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

TDEC

TDEC Risk / Return Rank: 70
TDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
TDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
TDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 84
TDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
TDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 68

FSEP

FSEP Risk / Return Rank: 76
FSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
FSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
FSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 80
FSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
FSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. FSEP - 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 Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP). 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.

	TDEC	FSEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.38	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	3.43	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.47	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	3.18	-0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.24	16.07	-3.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TDEC vs. FSEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the FSEP Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TDEC and FSEP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TDEC	FSEP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	2.38	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.94	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.78	1.10	+0.68

Drawdowns

TDEC vs. FSEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.30%, smaller than the maximum FSEP drawdown of -13.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TDEC and FSEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	TDEC	FSEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.30%	-13.79%	+3.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.16%	-5.62%	-2.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.37%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.02%	-0.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.04%	-2.13%	+1.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	1.11%	+0.74%

Volatility

TDEC vs. FSEP - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) has a higher volatility of 2.72% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) at 1.13%. This indicates that TDEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FSEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TDEC	FSEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.72%	1.13%	+1.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	5.79%	+3.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.09%	7.51%	+2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.73%	10.79%	+0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.73%	10.54%	+1.19%

TDEC vs. FSEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

TDEC has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than FSEP's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

TDEC vs. FSEP - Dividend Comparison

Neither TDEC nor FSEP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TDEC and FSEP in my portfolio?

TDEC and FSEP have a correlation of 0.68, 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 FSEP?

TDEC has higher volatility (2.72%) compared to FSEP (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TDEC dropped -10.30% vs FSEP's -13.79%.

Which ETF is better, TDEC or FSEP?

On 1-year performance, TDEC leads with 22.62% vs 17.80% for FSEP. On fees, FSEP is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, FSEP has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TDEC or FSEP?

Over the 1-year period, TDEC has performed better with a 22.62% return vs 17.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TDEC or FSEP?

FSEP is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TDEC.

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

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

What is the main difference between TDEC and FSEP?

TDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while FSEP is Options Trading. TDEC tracks MSCI Emerging Markets, while FSEP tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index September. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for TDEC and 0.85% for FSEP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.26), 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.