BAFE vs. BUFX

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

BAFE (Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BAFE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Brown Advisory, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Over the past year, BAFE returned 12.03% vs 9.65% for BUFX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BAFE charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

BAFE vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) 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, BAFE achieves a 7.73% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.78% return.

BAFE

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 2.46%
• 6M: 4.64%
• YTD: 7.73%
• 1Y: 12.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.88%
• 6M: 4.29%
• YTD: 4.78%
• 1Y: 9.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BAFE vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BAFE Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF	7.73%	5.87%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.78%	5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between BAFE and BUFX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.83

The correlation between BAFE and BUFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BAFE vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BAFE

BAFE Risk / Return Rank: 27
BAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
BAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
BAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 27
BAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
BAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 28

BUFX

BUFX Risk / Return Rank: 90
BUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
BUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
BUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
BUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

BAFE vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) 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.

	BAFE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	2.40	-1.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.25	3.77	-2.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.53	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.90	3.36	-2.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.19	19.76	-16.57

BAFE vs. BUFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAFE Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is lower than the BUFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAFE and BUFX, 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

BAFE vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAFE drawdown since its inception was -18.37%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAFE and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAFE	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.37%	-2.87%	-15.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.73%	-2.87%	-9.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	0.00%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.26%	-0.24%	-3.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	0.49%	+3.08%

Volatility

BAFE vs. BUFX - Volatility Comparison

Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) has a higher volatility of 4.41% compared to FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) at 1.07%. This indicates that BAFE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BAFE	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.41%	1.07%	+3.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.60%	3.40%	+7.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.41%	4.02%	+9.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.34%	3.98%	+13.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.34%	3.98%	+13.36%

BAFE vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BAFE has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

BAFE vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

BAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BAFE Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF	0.28%	0.30%	0.06%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAFE and BUFX in my portfolio?

BAFE and BUFX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BAFE or BUFX?

BAFE has higher volatility (4.41%) compared to BUFX (1.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAFE dropped -18.37% vs BUFX's -2.87%.

Which ETF is better, BAFE or BUFX?

On 1-year performance, BAFE leads with 12.03% vs 9.65% for BUFX. On fees, BAFE is cheaper at 0.54% per year. On volatility, BUFX has been the lower-risk option at 1.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BAFE or BUFX?

Over the 1-year period, BAFE has performed better with a 12.03% return vs 9.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BAFE or BUFX?

BAFE is cheaper with a 0.54% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

BAFE has the higher dividend yield at 0.28%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between BAFE and BUFX?

BAFE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Brown Advisory and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for BAFE and 0.96% for BUFX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 0.85), 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.