YDEC vs. BUFQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

YDEC (FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – December) and BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YDEC is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. YDEC is actively managed, while BUFQ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, YDEC returned 8.26%/yr vs 16.00%/yr for BUFQ. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. YDEC charges 0.90%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for BUFQ.

Performance

YDEC vs. BUFQ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YDEC achieves a 4.60% return, which is significantly lower than BUFQ's 7.95% return.

YDEC

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 4.60%
• 6M: 4.60%
• 1Y: 10.37%
• 3Y*: 8.26%
• 5Y*: 4.88%
• 10Y*: —

BUFQ

• 1D: -1.33%
• 1M: -0.77%
• YTD: 7.95%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 19.01%
• 3Y*: 16.00%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

YDEC vs. BUFQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
YDEC FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – December	4.60%	16.04%	-0.79%	14.33%	5.96%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	7.95%	14.03%	16.41%	35.51%	0.73%

Correlation

The correlation between YDEC and BUFQ is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2022	0.62

The correlation between YDEC and BUFQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

YDEC vs. BUFQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

YDEC

YDEC Risk / Return Rank: 50
YDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
YDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
YDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 63
YDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
YDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 51

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 79
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

YDEC vs. BUFQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – December (YDEC) 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.

	YDEC	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	2.27	-0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	3.32	-1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.45	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.77	3.54	-1.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.96	17.65	-9.69

YDEC vs. BUFQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YDEC Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is lower than the BUFQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YDEC 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

YDEC vs. BUFQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YDEC drawdown since its inception was -23.34%, which is greater than BUFQ's maximum drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YDEC and BUFQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	YDEC	BUFQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.34%	-15.74%	-7.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.89%	-5.39%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.95%	-15.74%	+4.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	-1.53%	+0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.10%	-2.29%	-1.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.31%	1.08%	+0.23%

Volatility

YDEC vs. BUFQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – December (YDEC) is 2.28%, while FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) has a volatility of 2.61%. This indicates that YDEC 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

	YDEC	BUFQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.28%	2.61%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.55%	6.77%	-0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.87%	8.45%	-1.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.24%	13.31%	-2.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.98%	13.31%	-2.33%

YDEC vs. BUFQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

YDEC has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFQ's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

YDEC vs. BUFQ - Dividend Comparison

Neither YDEC nor BUFQ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YDEC and BUFQ in my portfolio?

YDEC and BUFQ have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YDEC or BUFQ?

BUFQ has higher volatility (2.61%) compared to YDEC (2.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YDEC dropped -23.34% vs BUFQ's -15.74%.

Which ETF is better, YDEC or BUFQ?

On 3-year performance, BUFQ leads with 16.00% vs 8.26% for YDEC. On fees, YDEC is cheaper at 0.90% per year. On volatility, YDEC has been the lower-risk option at 2.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YDEC or BUFQ?

Over the 3-year period, BUFQ has performed better with a 16.00% return vs 8.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YDEC or BUFQ?

YDEC is cheaper with a 0.90% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

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

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

What is the main difference between YDEC and BUFQ?

YDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while BUFQ is Nasdaq-100. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for YDEC and 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.52), 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.