BUFG vs. IWMY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BUFG (FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF) and IWMY (Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF) are both Options Trading funds. BUFG is actively managed, while IWMY is passively managed. Over the past year, BUFG returned 15.81% vs 21.86% for IWMY. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUFG charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for IWMY.

Performance

BUFG vs. IWMY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF (BUFG) and Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF (IWMY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFG achieves a 5.63% return, which is significantly lower than IWMY's 14.94% return.

BUFG

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 5.63%
• 6M: 5.13%
• 1Y: 15.81%
• 3Y*: 13.66%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWMY

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 3.35%
• YTD: 14.94%
• 6M: 12.52%
• 1Y: 21.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFG vs. IWMY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BUFG FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF	5.63%	12.33%	15.13%	10.32%
IWMY Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF	14.94%	10.18%	5.56%	10.06%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFG and IWMY is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2023	0.70

The correlation between BUFG and IWMY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFG vs. IWMY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFG

BUFG Risk / Return Rank: 71
BUFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
BUFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
BUFG Omega Ratio Rank: 74
BUFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
BUFG Martin Ratio Rank: 80

IWMY

IWMY Risk / Return Rank: 39
IWMY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
IWMY Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
IWMY Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IWMY Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
IWMY Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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. IWMY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF (BUFG) and Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF (IWMY). 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	IWMY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	1.34	+0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	1.84	+1.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.23	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	1.90	+0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.37	6.20	+8.18

BUFG vs. IWMY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFG Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the IWMY Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFG and IWMY, 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. IWMY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFG drawdown since its inception was -17.62%, smaller than the maximum IWMY drawdown of -18.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFG and IWMY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFG	IWMY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.62%	-18.72%	+1.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.74%	-11.57%	+5.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.02%	-0.81%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.58%	-2.94%	-0.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.10%	3.54%	-2.44%

Volatility

BUFG vs. IWMY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF (BUFG) is 2.34%, while Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF (IWMY) has a volatility of 6.20%. This indicates that BUFG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWMY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFG	IWMY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.34%	6.20%	-3.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.13%	13.55%	-7.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.69%	16.37%	-8.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.81%	15.95%	-4.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.81%	15.95%	-4.14%

BUFG vs. IWMY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFG has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than IWMY's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFG vs. IWMY - Dividend Comparison

BUFG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IWMY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 43.75%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BUFG FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWMY Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF	43.75%	63.33%	107.92%	11.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFG and IWMY in my portfolio?

BUFG and IWMY have a correlation of 0.74, 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 IWMY?

IWMY has higher volatility (6.20%) compared to BUFG (2.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFG dropped -17.62% vs IWMY's -18.72%.

Which ETF is better, BUFG or IWMY?

On 1-year performance, IWMY leads with 21.86% vs 15.81% for BUFG. On fees, IWMY is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, BUFG has been the lower-risk option at 2.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFG or IWMY?

Over the 1-year period, IWMY has performed better with a 21.86% return vs 15.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFG or IWMY?

IWMY is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for BUFG.

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

IWMY has the higher dividend yield at 43.75%, compared with 0.00% for BUFG.

What is the main difference between BUFG and IWMY?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for BUFG and 0.99% for IWMY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.34), 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.