BUFD vs. MAXJ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) and MAXJ (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest, while MAXJ is a Equity Hedged fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BUFD returned 14.40% vs 9.25% for MAXJ. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BUFD charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for MAXJ.

Performance

BUFD vs. MAXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ). 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 MAXJ's 2.88% return.

BUFD

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

MAXJ

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 2.88%
• 6M: 3.34%
• 1Y: 9.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFD vs. MAXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	5.08%	10.66%	4.80%
MAXJ iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF	2.88%	8.97%	4.55%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFD and MAXJ is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2024	0.81

The correlation between BUFD and MAXJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFD vs. MAXJ — 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

MAXJ

MAXJ Risk / Return Rank: 93
MAXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
MAXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
MAXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 95
MAXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
MAXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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. MAXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ). 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	MAXJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.79	3.19	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.32	5.25	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.76	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.21	5.45	-1.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.97	30.88	-7.91
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. MAXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFD Sharpe Ratio is 2.79, which is comparable to the MAXJ Sharpe Ratio of 3.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFD and MAXJ, 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	MAXJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.79	3.19	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	1.64	-0.64

Drawdowns

BUFD vs. MAXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFD drawdown since its inception was -10.75%, which is greater than MAXJ's maximum drawdown of -6.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFD and MAXJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFD	MAXJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.75%	-6.35%	-4.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.43%	-1.70%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.15%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.75%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	0.00%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.97%	-0.56%	-1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.63%	0.30%	+0.33%

Volatility

BUFD vs. MAXJ - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) has a higher volatility of 0.79% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) at 0.30%. This indicates that BUFD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MAXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFD	MAXJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.79%	0.30%	+0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.94%	1.93%	+2.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.19%	2.93%	+2.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.73%	5.28%	+2.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.55%	5.28%	+2.27%

BUFD vs. MAXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFD has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than MAXJ's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFD vs. MAXJ - Dividend Comparison

BUFD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MAXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MAXJ iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF	0.98%	1.01%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFD and MAXJ in my portfolio?

BUFD and MAXJ 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, BUFD or MAXJ?

BUFD has higher volatility (0.79%) compared to MAXJ (0.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFD dropped -10.75% vs MAXJ's -6.35%.

Which ETF is better, BUFD or MAXJ?

On 1-year performance, BUFD leads with 14.40% vs 9.25% for MAXJ. On fees, MAXJ is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, MAXJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFD or MAXJ?

Over the 1-year period, BUFD has performed better with a 14.40% return vs 9.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFD or MAXJ?

MAXJ is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFD.

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

MAXJ has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.00% for BUFD.

What is the main difference between BUFD and MAXJ?

BUFD is categorized as Defined Outcome, while MAXJ is Equity Hedged. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for BUFD and 0.50% for MAXJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MAXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.19 vs 2.79), 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.