AVIE vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVIE (Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVIE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AVIE charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

AVIE vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE) 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, AVIE achieves a 12.80% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.10% return.

AVIE

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 12.80%
• 6M: 12.98%
• 1Y: 23.46%
• 3Y*: 13.07%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 1.35%
• YTD: 4.10%
• 6M: 4.88%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AVIE vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AVIE Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF	12.80%	9.76%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.10%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between AVIE and BUFX is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.26

Return for Risk

AVIE vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVIE

AVIE Risk / Return Rank: 76
AVIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
AVIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
AVIE Omega Ratio Rank: 70
AVIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
AVIE Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

AVIE vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE) 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.

	AVIE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.44	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.74	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.57	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AVIE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.05	2.68	-1.63

Drawdowns

AVIE vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVIE drawdown since its inception was -12.39%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVIE and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVIE	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.39%	-2.87%	-9.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.97%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.39%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-0.07%	-1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.03%	-0.24%	-2.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.62%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AVIE	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.06%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.19%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.88%	3.98%	+5.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.94%	3.98%	+8.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.94%	3.98%	+8.96%

AVIE vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVIE has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVIE vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

AVIE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVIE Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF	1.45%	1.75%	1.89%	3.72%	0.39%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVIE and BUFX in my portfolio?

AVIE and BUFX have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AVIE or BUFX?

On fees, AVIE is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVIE or BUFX?

AVIE is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

AVIE has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between AVIE and BUFX?

AVIE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AVIE and 0.96% for BUFX.