FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December (DECM) Performance
DECM total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +4.6% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +6.1% total return
- Since first price
- +11.5% since 2024
DECM trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | DECM total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +0.3% | +0.3% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +1.8% | +1.8% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +3.2% | +3.2% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +4.6% | +4.6% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +6.1% | +6.1% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionDec 23, 2024 | +11.5% | +11.5% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: DECM vs SPY
From Dec 23, 2024: DECM grew to $11,152, SPY to $13,030.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
DECM returns by calendar year
1 of 1 full years positive. Best 2025 (+6.9%), worst 2025 (+6.9%). 2026 is year to date.
DECM annual returns table
| Year | DECM | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +4.6% | −1.7% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +6.9% | −3.0% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
DECM risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2024 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +6.4% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.5% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.99 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.62 |
| Best month | +2.2% |
| Worst month | −1.2% |
| Best 12 months | +8.7% |
| Worst 12 months | +6.3% |
| Positive months | 81% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
DECM rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 11 | +5.9% | +6.7% | +8.7% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2024. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
DECM performance overview
FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December (DECM) returned +6.1% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Dec 23, 2024 it has returned +11.5%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
Related: DECM chart. See the DECM overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
DECM performance FAQ
What is the DECM return over the past year?
DECM returned +6.1% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 6.1%.
How much would $10,000 invested in DECM be worth?
$10,000 invested in DECM at its first recorded close on December 23, 2024 would be worth about $11,152 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
How volatile is DECM?
Over the past history DECM had an annualized volatility of 2.5% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.99 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).