DDEC vs SDTY
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December vs YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF
Which is better, DDEC or SDTY?
SDTY has been ahead.
DDEC has a lower expense ratio. SDTY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DDEC | SDTY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Best | 1.08% |
| AUM | $432M | $29M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 28.74% |
| Holdings | 10 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +8.27% | +11.19%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.98% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.75% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.64% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.2%Best | 13.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.4%Best | -16.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $11,965 | $13,460Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Dec 18, 2020 | Feb 5, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 6, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.7 years).
DDEC vs SDTY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.7 years both funds cover.
DDEC vs SDTY Performance
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year DDEC returned +11.98% while SDTY returned +16.63%. Year to date, DDEC is up 8.27% versus a gain of 11.19% for SDTY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SDTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 6.2% for DDEC. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -9.4% for DDEC and -16.3% for SDTY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DDEC charges 0.85% per year while SDTY charges 1.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $108 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DDEC currently yields 0.00% against 28.74% for SDTY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DDEC and SDTY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DDEC or SDTY?
DDEC has an expense ratio of 0.85% while SDTY charges 1.08%. DDEC is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DDEC or SDTY?
Over the past year DDEC returned +11.98% vs +16.63% for SDTY, so SDTY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), DDEC annualized +11.13% vs +19.10% for SDTY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DDEC or SDTY?
SDTY has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 6.2% for DDEC. Worst drawdown: DDEC -9.4% vs SDTY -16.3%.
Should I hold both DDEC and SDTY?
DDEC and SDTY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DDEC or SDTY?
DDEC yields 0.00% while SDTY yields 28.74%, so SDTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SDTY better than DDEC?
DDEC has a lower expense ratio. SDTY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.