BUFD vs. BTAL
BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) and BTAL (AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BTAL is a Equity Market Neutral fund actively managed by AGF. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BUFD returned 7.64%/yr vs -4.93%/yr for BTAL. At a correlation of -0.58, they often move in opposite directions. BUFD charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.40%/yr for BTAL.
Performance
BUFD vs. BTAL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BUFD achieves a 5.75% return, which is significantly higher than BTAL's -17.44% return.
BUFD
- 1D
- -0.15%
- 1M
- 0.52%
- 6M
- 5.07%
- YTD
- 5.75%
- 1Y
- 12.04%
- 3Y*
- 11.16%
- 5Y*
- 7.64%
- 10Y*
- —
BTAL
- 1D
- 2.68%
- 1M
- 5.41%
- 6M
- -14.66%
- YTD
- -17.44%
- 1Y
- -28.44%
- 3Y*
- -9.44%
- 5Y*
- -4.93%
- 10Y*
- -4.73%
BUFD vs. BTAL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF | 5.75% | 10.66% | 12.42% | 15.40% | -7.70% | 5.86% |
BTAL AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund | -17.44% | -20.17% | 12.83% | -15.11% | 20.48% | -4.20% |
Correlation
The correlation between BUFD and BTAL is -0.69, 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 | -0.69 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.58 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.60 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2021 | -0.58 |
The correlation between BUFD and BTAL shifts across timeframes, from -0.69 (1 year) to -0.58 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BUFD vs. BTAL — Risk / Return Rank
BUFD
BTAL
BUFD vs. BTAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) and AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL). 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.
| BUFD | BTAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +3.55 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +5.33 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 0.81 | +0.67 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.52 | -0.83 | +4.35 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.79 | -1.56 | +20.35 |
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Drawdowns
BUFD vs. BTAL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BUFD drawdown since its inception was -10.75%, smaller than the maximum BTAL drawdown of -52.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFD and BTAL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BUFD | BTAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -10.75% | -52.70% | +41.95% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.43% | -34.57% | +31.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.15% | -47.83% | +37.68% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -10.75% | -47.83% | +37.08% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -52.70% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.15% | -48.54% | +48.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.93% | -22.17% | +20.24% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.64% | 18.24% | -17.60% |
Volatility
BUFD vs. BTAL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) is 1.13%, while AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL) has a volatility of 7.79%. This indicates that BUFD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BTAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BUFD | BTAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.13% | 7.79% | -6.66% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.18% | 17.46% | -13.28% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.19% | 23.44% | -18.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.74% | 19.27% | -11.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.50% | 17.39% | -9.89% |
BUFD vs. BTAL - Expense Ratio Comparison
BUFD has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than BTAL's 1.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
BUFD vs. BTAL - Dividend Comparison
BUFD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BTAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BTAL AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund | 3.01% | 2.49% | 3.49% | 6.14% | 1.01% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.88% | 0.39% |
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BUFD and BTAL have a correlation of -0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BTAL has higher volatility (7.79%) compared to BUFD (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFD dropped -10.75% vs BTAL's -52.70%.
On 5-year performance, BUFD leads with 7.64% vs -4.93% for BTAL. On fees, BUFD is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, BUFD has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, BUFD has performed better with a 7.64% return vs -4.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BUFD is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.40% for BTAL.
BTAL has the higher dividend yield at 3.01%, compared with 0.00% for BUFD.
BUFD is categorized as Defined Outcome, while BTAL is Equity Market Neutral. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and AGF. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for BUFD and 1.40% for BTAL.
BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs -1.22), 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.
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