WCME vs. TDEC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WCME (First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF) and TDEC (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - WCME is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Actively Managed, while TDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, WCME returned 30.37% vs 24.15% for TDEC. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

WCME vs. TDEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF (WCME) and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WCME achieves a 14.93% return, which is significantly higher than TDEC's 9.14% return.

WCME

• 1D: -2.35%
• 1M: 4.53%
• YTD: 14.93%
• 6M: 15.02%
• 1Y: 30.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TDEC

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 1.54%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 6M: 11.08%
• 1Y: 24.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

WCME vs. TDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
WCME First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF	14.93%	35.19%	-1.54%
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	9.14%	21.39%	-0.70%

Correlation

The correlation between WCME and TDEC is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 24, 2024	0.85

The correlation between WCME and TDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WCME vs. TDEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

WCME

WCME Risk / Return Rank: 43
WCME Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
WCME Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
WCME Omega Ratio Rank: 44
WCME Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
WCME Martin Ratio Rank: 44

TDEC

TDEC Risk / Return Rank: 74
TDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
TDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
TDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 87
TDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
TDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

WCME vs. TDEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF (WCME) and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC). 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.

	WCME	TDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	2.41	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	3.34	-1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.54	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	2.97	-1.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.96	13.07	-6.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WCME vs. TDEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WCME Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is lower than the TDEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WCME and TDEC, 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

	WCME	TDEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	2.41	-0.89
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.12	1.81	-0.69

Drawdowns

WCME vs. TDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WCME drawdown since its inception was -15.64%, which is greater than TDEC's maximum drawdown of -10.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WCME and TDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	WCME	TDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.64%	-10.30%	-5.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.64%	-8.16%	-7.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.35%	-0.33%	-2.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.67%	-1.04%	-2.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.38%	1.85%	+2.53%

Volatility

WCME vs. TDEC - Volatility Comparison

First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF (WCME) has a higher volatility of 8.11% compared to FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) at 2.81%. This indicates that WCME's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WCME	TDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.11%	2.81%	+5.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.23%	9.02%	+8.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.16%	10.09%	+10.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.74%	11.75%	+7.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.74%	11.75%	+7.99%

WCME vs. TDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both WCME and TDEC have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

WCME vs. TDEC - Dividend Comparison

WCME's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%, while TDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
WCME First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF	0.60%	0.68%	0.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WCME and TDEC in my portfolio?

WCME and TDEC have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WCME or TDEC?

WCME has higher volatility (8.11%) compared to TDEC (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WCME dropped -15.64% vs TDEC's -10.30%.

Which ETF is better, WCME or TDEC?

On 1-year performance, WCME leads with 30.37% vs 24.15% for TDEC. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, TDEC has been the lower-risk option at 2.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WCME or TDEC?

Over the 1-year period, WCME has performed better with a 30.37% return vs 24.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WCME or TDEC?

WCME and TDEC have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

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

WCME has the higher dividend yield at 0.60%, compared with 0.00% for TDEC.

What is the main difference between WCME and TDEC?

WCME is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while TDEC is Defined Outcome. WCME tracks Actively Managed, while TDEC tracks MSCI Emerging Markets. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and FT Vest.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.51), 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.