BEEX vs. BUFX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

BEEX (The BeeHive ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BEEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by BeeHive, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BEEX returned 15.61% vs 9.79% for BUFX. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. BEEX charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

BEEX vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The BeeHive ETF (BEEX) 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, BEEX achieves a 6.65% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 5.06% return.

BEEX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: 2.35%
• 6M: 6.06%
• YTD: 6.65%
• 1Y: 15.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.00%

BUFX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 0.68%
• 6M: 4.54%
• YTD: 5.06%
• 1Y: 9.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.76%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BEEX The BeeHive ETF	$81.73K	$102.16K	$106.84K
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	$98.01K	$102.06K	$119.53K

BEEX vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BEEX The BeeHive ETF	6.65%	9.02%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	5.06%	5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between BEEX and BUFX is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.76

The correlation between BEEX and BUFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BEEX vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BEEX

BEEX Risk / Return Rank: 44
BEEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
BEEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
BEEX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
BEEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
BEEX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

BUFX

BUFX Risk / Return Rank: 91
BUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
BUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
BUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
BUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
BUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BEEX vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The BeeHive ETF (BEEX) 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.

	BEEX	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	2.30	-1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.76	3.58	-1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.49	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.26	3.28	-2.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.50	19.17	-14.67

BEEX vs. BUFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BEEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the BUFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BEEX 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

BEEX vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BEEX drawdown since its inception was -15.13%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BEEX and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BEEX	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.13%	-2.87%	-12.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.24%	-2.87%	-8.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.40%	-0.24%	-2.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	0.49%	+2.65%

Volatility

BEEX vs. BUFX - Volatility Comparison

The BeeHive ETF (BEEX) has a higher volatility of 3.18% compared to FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) at 0.99%. This indicates that BEEX'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

	BEEX	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.18%	0.99%	+2.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.08%	3.45%	+5.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.69%	4.10%	+7.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.82%	3.96%	+10.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.82%	3.96%	+10.86%

BEEX vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BEEX has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

BEEX vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

BEEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BEEX The BeeHive ETF	0.32%	0.35%	0.27%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BEEX and BUFX in my portfolio?

BEEX and BUFX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BEEX or BUFX?

BEEX has higher volatility (3.18%) compared to BUFX (0.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BEEX dropped -15.13% vs BUFX's -2.87%.

Which ETF is better, BEEX or BUFX?

On 1-year performance, BEEX leads with 15.61% vs 9.79% for BUFX. On fees, BEEX is cheaper at 0.84% per year. On volatility, BUFX has been the lower-risk option at 0.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BEEX or BUFX?

Over the 1-year period, BEEX has performed better with a 15.61% return vs 9.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BEEX or BUFX?

BEEX is cheaper with a 0.84% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

BEEX has the higher dividend yield at 0.32%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between BEEX and BUFX?

BEEX is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: BeeHive and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.84% for BEEX and 0.96% for BUFX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 1.21), 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.