GDEC vs UPRO
FT Vest US Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December vs ProShares UltraPro S&P 500
Which is better, GDEC or UPRO?
UPRO has been ahead.
GDEC has a lower expense ratio. UPRO led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | GDEC | UPRO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Best | 0.89% |
| AUM | $383M | $5.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.72% |
| Holdings | 10 | 520 |
| YTD Return | +8.78% | +33.86%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.85% | +36.85%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +53.59% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.48% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2%Best | 36.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.6%Best | -49.1% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $13,645 | $28,726Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Dec 15, 2023 | Jun 23, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 18, 2023 to Oct 9, 2026 (2.8 years).
GDEC vs UPRO 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
GDEC vs UPRO Performance
FT Vest US Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year GDEC returned +11.85% while UPRO returned +36.85%. Year to date, GDEC is up 8.78% versus a gain of 33.86% for UPRO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPRO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 36.6% compared with 5.2% for GDEC. 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 -10.6% for GDEC and -49.1% for UPRO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDEC charges 0.85% per year while UPRO charges 0.89%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $89 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDEC currently yields 0.00% against 0.72% for UPRO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GDEC and UPRO 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, GDEC or UPRO?
GDEC has an expense ratio of 0.85% while UPRO charges 0.89%. GDEC is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GDEC or UPRO?
Over the past year GDEC returned +11.85% vs +36.85% for UPRO, so UPRO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GDEC or UPRO?
UPRO has been the more volatile fund at 36.6% annualized versus 5.2% for GDEC. Worst drawdown: GDEC -10.6% vs UPRO -49.1%.
Should I hold both GDEC and UPRO?
GDEC and UPRO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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, GDEC or UPRO?
GDEC yields 0.00% while UPRO yields 0.72%, so UPRO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UPRO better than GDEC?
GDEC has a lower expense ratio. UPRO led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.