BUFD vs. BTAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) and BTAL (AGFiQ US 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 Long-Short fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Thematic Market Neutral Anti-Beta Total Return Index. BUFD is actively managed, while BTAL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BUFD returned 7.62%/yr vs -4.56%/yr for BTAL. At a correlation of -0.58, they often move in opposite directions. BUFD charges 0.95%/yr vs 2.11%/yr for BTAL.

Performance

BUFD vs. BTAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) and AGFiQ US Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFD achieves a 5.08% return, which is significantly higher than BTAL's -19.67% return.

BUFD

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 5.08%
• 6M: 5.68%
• 1Y: 14.40%
• 3Y*: 12.09%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: —

BTAL

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: -6.55%
• YTD: -19.67%
• 6M: -18.88%
• 1Y: -37.06%
• 3Y*: -12.64%
• 5Y*: -4.56%
• 10Y*: -4.73%

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

BUFD vs. BTAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	5.08%	10.66%	12.42%	15.40%	-7.70%	5.97%
BTAL AGFiQ US Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund	-19.67%	-20.17%	12.83%	-15.11%	20.48%	-4.41%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFD and BTAL is -0.64, 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	-0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2021	-0.58

The correlation between BUFD and BTAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.64 to -0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

BUFD vs. BTAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BUFD	BTAL
Technology	36.2%	19.5%
Financial Services	11.9%	14.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	3.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.8%
Healthcare	8.4%	10.2%
Industrials	8.1%	13.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	5.6%
Energy	3.5%	4.4%
Utilities	2.3%	5.2%
Real Estate	1.9%	6.2%
Basic Materials	1.8%	4.0%

Return for Risk

BUFD vs. BTAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFD Martin Ratio Rank: 92

BTAL

BTAL Risk / Return Rank: 0
BTAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
BTAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
BTAL Omega Ratio Rank: 0
BTAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
BTAL Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

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 AGFiQ US 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.

	BUFD	BTAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.79	-1.72	+4.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.32	-2.70	+7.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	0.72	+0.86
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.21	-0.99	+5.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.97	-1.72	+24.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFD vs. BTAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFD Sharpe Ratio is 2.79, which is higher than the BTAL Sharpe Ratio of -1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFD and BTAL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BUFD	BTAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.79	-1.72	+4.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99	-0.24	+1.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	-0.24	+1.24

Drawdowns

BUFD vs. BTAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFD drawdown since its inception was -10.75%, smaller than the maximum BTAL drawdown of -50.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFD and BTAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFD	BTAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.75%	-50.28%	+39.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.43%	-37.50%	+34.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.15%	-45.16%	+35.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.75%	-45.16%	+34.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-50.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-49.93%	+49.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.97%	-21.95%	+19.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.63%	21.54%	-20.91%

Volatility

BUFD vs. BTAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) is 0.79%, while AGFiQ US Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL) has a volatility of 7.54%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	BUFD	BTAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.79%	7.54%	-6.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.94%	15.38%	-11.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.19%	21.59%	-16.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.73%	18.75%	-11.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.55%	17.23%	-9.68%

BUFD vs. BTAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFD has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than BTAL's 2.11% 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 3.10%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BTAL AGFiQ US Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund	3.10%	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

Can I hold both BUFD and BTAL in my portfolio?

BUFD and BTAL have a correlation of -0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFD or BTAL?

BTAL has higher volatility (7.54%) compared to BUFD (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFD dropped -10.75% vs BTAL's -50.28%.

Which ETF is better, BUFD or BTAL?

On 5-year performance, BUFD leads with 7.62% vs -4.56% for BTAL. On fees, BUFD is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, BUFD has been the lower-risk option at 0.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFD or BTAL?

Over the 5-year period, BUFD has performed better with a 7.62% return vs -4.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFD or BTAL?

BUFD is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 2.11% for BTAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUFD or BTAL?

BTAL has the higher dividend yield at 3.10%, compared with 0.00% for BUFD.

What is the main difference between BUFD and BTAL?

BUFD is categorized as Defined Outcome, while BTAL is Long-Short. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and AGF. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for BUFD and 2.11% for BTAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs -1.72), 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.