Data as of .
GDEC vs XDEC: which one stands where?
As of Sep 19, 2026 GDEC can fall 8.2% before its buffer engages and XDEC 7.4%.
These are two different products. XDEC is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. GDEC is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.
Both are First Trust funds, so the difference between them is the terms rather than the house.
Where each one stands today
GDEC resets first, on Dec 18, 2026, 91 days from now; XDEC runs to Dec 18, 2026, 91 days. GDEC can still gain 3.0% before its cap, XDEC 1.9%. A fall from here reaches GDEC’s buffer after 8.2% and XDEC’s after 7.4%. Both track SPY, so what separates them is where each is in its own period.
Every figure is ETFIQ’s own, from the issuer’s published outcome-period terms. A buffer ETF holds FLEX options on its reference index rather than shares, so there is no holdings overlap between two of them to report.
Performance, window by window
| Window | Total return | Gap to the reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDEC | XDEC | GDEC | XDEC | |
| 3 months | +2.3% | +2.2% | 0.0 pts | −0.1 pts |
| 6 months | +10.4% | +8.9% | −7.6 pts | −9.1 pts |
| 1 year | +11.4% | +9.4% | −5.2 pts | −7.2 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +31.6% | not published | −46.8 pts |
| GDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.1%, over a period ending Dec 18, 2026 | XDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - December Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 10.1%, over a period ending Dec 18, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 15% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Dec 22, 2025 to Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 22, 2025 to Dec 18, 2026 |
| Days left | 91 | 91 |
| Starting cap | +12.1% | +10.1% |
| Can still gain | 3.0% | 1.9% |
| Fall before buffer | 8.2% | 7.4% |
| Protection left, index points | 15.0% of 15.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +11.9% | +11.9% |
| Fund return this period | +8.0% | +7.1% |
| State today | Open | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $427m | $201m |
GDEC in plain words
From its price on Sep 19, 2026, the fund can gain about 3.0% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 8.2% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 10.7% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 15.0% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 91 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Dec 18, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
XDEC in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +10.1% for the period on Sep 19, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 1.9% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 7.4% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, GDEC or XDEC?
- From their prices on Sep 19, 2026, GDEC can gain about 3.0% before its cap and XDEC about 1.9%, so GDEC has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, GDEC or XDEC?
- GDEC ends its outcome period on Dec 18, 2026 and XDEC on Dec 18, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, GDEC or XDEC?
- GDEC charges 0.85% a year and XDEC charges 0.85%, so GDEC is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
Where these figures came from
ETFIQ links to the documents behind every figure. It is not affiliated with any issuer, and a link is not an endorsement.
Cite this page. ETFIQ, GDEC against XDEC, data as of Sep 19, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/gdec-vs-xdec Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.