BUFG vs. PMDE

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

BUFG (FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF) and PMDE (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFG is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while PMDE is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY). BUFG is actively managed, while PMDE is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BUFG charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMDE.

Performance

BUFG vs. PMDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF (BUFG) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December (PMDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFG achieves a 7.09% return, which is significantly higher than PMDE's 3.18% return.

BUFG

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.49%
• 6M: 6.16%
• YTD: 7.09%
• 1Y: 14.40%
• 3Y*: 12.79%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PMDE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.45%
• 6M: 2.80%
• YTD: 3.18%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFG vs. PMDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BUFG FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF	7.09%	0.65%
PMDE PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December	3.18%	0.44%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFG and PMDE is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 2025	0.87

Return for Risk

BUFG vs. PMDE — 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: 75
BUFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
BUFG Omega Ratio Rank: 78
BUFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
BUFG Martin Ratio Rank: 84

PMDE

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. PMDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF (BUFG) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December (PMDE). 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	PMDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.99	—	—

Drawdowns

BUFG vs. PMDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFG drawdown since its inception was -17.62%, which is greater than PMDE's maximum drawdown of -1.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFG and PMDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFG	PMDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.62%	-1.59%	-16.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.74%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	0.00%	-0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.54%	-0.24%	-3.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.11%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BUFG	PMDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.75%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.18%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.62%	2.37%	+5.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.75%	2.37%	+9.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.75%	2.37%	+9.38%

BUFG vs. PMDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFG has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than PMDE's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFG vs. PMDE - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFG nor PMDE has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFG and PMDE in my portfolio?

BUFG and PMDE have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BUFG or PMDE?

On fees, PMDE is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFG or PMDE?

PMDE is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for BUFG.

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

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

What is the main difference between BUFG and PMDE?

BUFG is categorized as Options Trading, while PMDE is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for BUFG and 0.50% for PMDE.