HEDG vs XDEC
Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - December
Which is better, HEDG or XDEC?
HEDG has been ahead.
XDEC has a lower expense ratio. HEDG 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 | HEDG | XDEC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.85%Best |
| AUM | $465M | $208M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.78% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 10 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +6.78% | +7.41%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.34%Best | +9.79% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.84% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.6%Best | 5.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -3.9%Tie | -3.9%Tie |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $11,015Best | $10,961 |
| Fund Family | Equable Shares | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Oct 13, 2025 | Dec 17, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 13, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1 years).
HEDG vs XDEC 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 years both funds cover.
HEDG vs XDEC Performance
Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF (HEDG) is an ETF from Equable Shares and FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - December (XDEC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year HEDG returned +10.34% while XDEC returned +9.79%. Year to date, HEDG is up 6.78% versus a gain of 7.41% for XDEC.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XDEC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.1% compared with 3.6% for HEDG. 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 -3.9% for HEDG and -3.9% for XDEC. 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
HEDG charges 0.96% per year while XDEC charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $85 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HEDG currently yields 2.78% against 0.00% for XDEC.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HEDG and XDEC 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, HEDG or XDEC?
HEDG has an expense ratio of 0.96% while XDEC charges 0.85%. XDEC is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HEDG or XDEC?
Over the past year HEDG returned +10.34% vs +9.79% for XDEC, so HEDG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), HEDG annualized +10.15% vs +9.61% for XDEC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HEDG or XDEC?
XDEC has been the more volatile fund at 5.1% annualized versus 3.6% for HEDG. Worst drawdown: HEDG -3.9% vs XDEC -3.9%.
Should I hold both HEDG and XDEC?
HEDG and XDEC 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, HEDG or XDEC?
HEDG yields 2.78% while XDEC yields 0.00%, so HEDG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XDEC better than HEDG?
XDEC has a lower expense ratio. HEDG 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.