BUFG vs. BGLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUFG (FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF) and BGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFG is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BGLD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, BUFG returned 14.30%/yr vs 19.37%/yr for BGLD. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BUFG charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BGLD.

Performance

BUFG vs. BGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF (BUFG) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFG achieves a 6.40% return, which is significantly higher than BGLD's 0.32% return.

BUFG

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 2.34%
• YTD: 6.40%
• 6M: 6.86%
• 1Y: 17.53%
• 3Y*: 14.30%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BGLD

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 0.32%
• 6M: 1.34%
• 1Y: 12.93%
• 3Y*: 19.37%
• 5Y*: 11.20%
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFG vs. BGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUFG FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF	6.40%	12.33%	15.13%	18.49%	-11.61%	1.80%
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	0.32%	33.03%	21.80%	13.24%	-2.42%	-0.23%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFG and BGLD is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2021	0.14

Return for Risk

BUFG vs. BGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFG

BUFG Risk / Return Rank: 73
BUFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
BUFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
BUFG Omega Ratio Rank: 76
BUFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
BUFG Martin Ratio Rank: 81

BGLD

BGLD Risk / Return Rank: 28
BGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
BGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
BGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 31
BGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
BGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

BUFG vs. BGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF (BUFG) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). 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.

	BUFG	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.09	+1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	1.51	+1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.21	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	1.17	+1.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.15	3.72	+12.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFG vs. BGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFG Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is higher than the BGLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFG and BGLD, 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

	BUFG	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	1.09	+1.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.13	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	1.05	-0.31

Drawdowns

BUFG vs. BGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFG drawdown since its inception was -17.62%, which is greater than BGLD's maximum drawdown of -16.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFG and BGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFG	BGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.62%	-16.19%	-1.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.74%	-11.11%	+5.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.20%	-11.11%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.52%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-7.22%	+6.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.62%	-3.64%	+0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	3.49%	-2.40%

Volatility

BUFG vs. BGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF (BUFG) is 1.20%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) has a volatility of 2.20%. This indicates that BUFG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFG	BGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.20%	2.20%	-1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.82%	10.04%	-4.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.64%	11.90%	-4.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.84%	9.97%	+1.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.84%	9.89%	+1.95%

BUFG vs. BGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFG has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than BGLD's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFG vs. BGLD - Dividend Comparison

BUFG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 44.18%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	44.18%	44.32%	25.04%	10.49%	0.40%
BUFG FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFG and BGLD in my portfolio?

BUFG and BGLD have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFG or BGLD?

BGLD has higher volatility (2.20%) compared to BUFG (1.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFG dropped -17.62% vs BGLD's -16.19%.

Which ETF is better, BUFG or BGLD?

On 3-year performance, BGLD leads with 19.37% vs 14.30% for BUFG. On fees, BGLD is cheaper at 0.91% per year. On volatility, BUFG has been the lower-risk option at 1.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFG or BGLD?

Over the 3-year period, BGLD has performed better with a 19.37% return vs 14.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFG or BGLD?

BGLD is cheaper with a 0.91% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for BUFG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUFG or BGLD?

BGLD has the higher dividend yield at 44.18%, compared with 0.00% for BUFG.

What is the main difference between BUFG and BGLD?

BUFG is categorized as Options Trading, while BGLD is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for BUFG and 0.91% for BGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.09), 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.