APUE vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

APUE (ActivePassive U.S. Equity ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - APUE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by ActivePassive, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. APUE charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

APUE vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ActivePassive U.S. Equity ETF (APUE) and FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APUE achieves a 8.71% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.84% return.

APUE

• 1D: -1.31%
• 1M: -0.79%
• YTD: 8.71%
• 6M: 7.66%
• 1Y: 24.90%
• 3Y*: 20.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 3.84%
• 6M: 3.89%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

APUE vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
APUE ActivePassive U.S. Equity ETF	8.71%	13.83%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	3.84%	5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between APUE and BUFX is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.91

Return for Risk

APUE vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

APUE

APUE Risk / Return Rank: 65
APUE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
APUE Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
APUE Omega Ratio Rank: 64
APUE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
APUE Martin Ratio Rank: 73

BUFX

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

APUE vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ActivePassive U.S. Equity ETF (APUE) and FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX). 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.

	APUE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.63	—	—

Drawdowns

APUE vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APUE drawdown since its inception was -18.83%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APUE and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	APUE	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.83%	-2.87%	-15.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.83%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.62%	-0.59%	-2.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.06%	-0.24%	-1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	APUE	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.69%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.89%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.73%	4.05%	+8.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.75%	4.05%	+10.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.75%	4.05%	+10.70%

APUE vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

APUE has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

APUE vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

APUE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
APUE ActivePassive U.S. Equity ETF	0.77%	0.83%	0.79%	0.41%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APUE and BUFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, APUE and BUFX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, APUE or BUFX?

On fees, APUE is cheaper at 0.33% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, APUE or BUFX?

APUE is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, APUE or BUFX?

APUE has the higher dividend yield at 0.77%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between APUE and BUFX?

APUE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: ActivePassive and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for APUE and 0.96% for BUFX.