BUFG vs. BUFR

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BUFG (FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFG is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BUFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, BUFG returned 13.85%/yr vs 13.95%/yr for BUFR. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BUFG charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.

Performance

BUFG vs. BUFR - 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 Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BUFG having a 6.18% return and BUFR slightly higher at 6.33%.

BUFG

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 6.18%
• 6M: 5.79%
• 1Y: 17.40%
• 3Y*: 13.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFR

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 6.33%
• 6M: 6.24%
• 1Y: 17.48%
• 3Y*: 13.95%
• 5Y*: 9.85%
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFG vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUFG FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF	6.18%	12.33%	15.13%	18.49%	-11.61%	1.50%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	6.33%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-7.57%	1.74%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFG and BUFR is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2021	0.94

The correlation between BUFG and BUFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFG vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFG

BUFG Risk / Return Rank: 75
BUFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
BUFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
BUFG Omega Ratio Rank: 78
BUFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
BUFG Martin Ratio Rank: 82

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. BUFR - 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 Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). 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.

	BUFG	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.65	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	3.82	-0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.53	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	3.81	-0.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.84	20.32	-4.48

BUFG vs. BUFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFG Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the BUFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFG and BUFR, 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

BUFG vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFG drawdown since its inception was -17.62%, which is greater than BUFR's maximum drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFG and BUFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFG	BUFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.62%	-13.73%	-3.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.74%	-4.61%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.20%	-12.81%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-0.30%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.58%	-2.08%	-1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.10%	0.86%	+0.24%

Volatility

BUFG vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF (BUFG) has a higher volatility of 2.28% compared to FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) at 2.02%. This indicates that BUFG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFG	BUFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.28%	2.02%	+0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.13%	5.23%	+0.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.68%	6.63%	+1.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.82%	10.47%	+1.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.82%	10.22%	+1.60%

BUFG vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFG has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFG vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFG nor BUFR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFG and BUFR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, BUFG and BUFR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BUFG or BUFR?

BUFG has higher volatility (2.28%) compared to BUFR (2.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFG dropped -17.62% vs BUFR's -13.73%.

Which ETF is better, BUFG or BUFR?

On 3-year performance, BUFR leads with 13.95% vs 13.85% for BUFG. On fees, BUFR is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, BUFR has been the lower-risk option at 2.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFG or BUFR?

Over the 3-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 13.95% return vs 13.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFG or BUFR?

BUFR is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for BUFG.

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

BUFG and BUFR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BUFG and BUFR?

BUFG is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFR is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for BUFG and 0.95% for BUFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 2.28), 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.