AMZD vs. BUFQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AMZD (Direxion Daily AMZN Bear 1X Shares) and BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AMZD is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the Amazon.com, Inc. (-100%), while BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AMZD returned -20.20%/yr vs 16.00%/yr for BUFQ. At a correlation of -0.71, they often move in opposite directions. AMZD charges 1.09%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for BUFQ.

Performance

AMZD vs. BUFQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily AMZN Bear 1X Shares (AMZD) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMZD achieves a -3.80% return, which is significantly lower than BUFQ's 7.95% return.

AMZD

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: 12.37%
• YTD: -3.80%
• 6M: -3.13%
• 1Y: -14.44%
• 3Y*: -20.20%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFQ

• 1D: -1.33%
• 1M: -0.77%
• YTD: 7.95%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 19.01%
• 3Y*: 16.00%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AMZD vs. BUFQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AMZD Direxion Daily AMZN Bear 1X Shares	-3.80%	-9.84%	-30.80%	-46.50%	45.25%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	7.95%	14.03%	16.41%	35.51%	-5.52%

Correlation

The correlation between AMZD and BUFQ is -0.62, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2022	-0.71

The correlation between AMZD and BUFQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.71 to -0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AMZD vs. BUFQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AMZD

AMZD Risk / Return Rank: 5
AMZD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
AMZD Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
AMZD Omega Ratio Rank: 5
AMZD Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
AMZD Martin Ratio Rank: 4

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 79
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 87

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AMZD vs. BUFQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily AMZN Bear 1X Shares (AMZD) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AMZD	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.47	2.27	-2.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.49	3.32	-3.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.45	-0.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.51	3.54	-4.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.14	17.65	-18.78

AMZD vs. BUFQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMZD Sharpe Ratio is -0.47, which is lower than the BUFQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMZD and BUFQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AMZD vs. BUFQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMZD drawdown since its inception was -73.05%, which is greater than BUFQ's maximum drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMZD and BUFQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMZD	BUFQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.05%	-15.74%	-57.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.27%	-5.39%	-22.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.20%	-15.74%	-43.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-68.70%	-1.53%	-67.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-49.33%	-2.29%	-47.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.43%	1.08%	+12.35%

Volatility

AMZD vs. BUFQ - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily AMZN Bear 1X Shares (AMZD) has a higher volatility of 10.13% compared to FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) at 2.61%. This indicates that AMZD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMZD	BUFQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.13%	2.61%	+7.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.78%	6.77%	+15.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.03%	8.45%	+22.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.47%	13.31%	+20.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.47%	13.31%	+20.16%

AMZD vs. BUFQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMZD has a 1.09% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFQ's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMZD vs. BUFQ - Dividend Comparison

AMZD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, while BUFQ has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
AMZD Direxion Daily AMZN Bear 1X Shares	3.26%	3.61%	5.15%	6.83%	2.45%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMZD and BUFQ in my portfolio?

AMZD and BUFQ have a correlation of -0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMZD or BUFQ?

AMZD has higher volatility (10.13%) compared to BUFQ (2.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMZD dropped -73.05% vs BUFQ's -15.74%.

Which ETF is better, AMZD or BUFQ?

On 3-year performance, BUFQ leads with 16.00% vs -20.20% for AMZD. On fees, AMZD is cheaper at 1.09% per year. On volatility, BUFQ has been the lower-risk option at 2.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AMZD or BUFQ?

Over the 3-year period, BUFQ has performed better with a 16.00% return vs -20.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AMZD or BUFQ?

AMZD is cheaper with a 1.09% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AMZD or BUFQ?

AMZD has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 0.00% for BUFQ.

What is the main difference between AMZD and BUFQ?

AMZD is categorized as Inverse Equities, while BUFQ is Nasdaq-100. AMZD tracks Amazon.com, Inc. (-100%), while BUFQ tracks NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 1.09% for AMZD and 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs -0.47), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.