BUFH vs. IGLD

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BUFH (FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFH is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BUFH returned 6.34% vs 13.43% for IGLD. Their 0.20 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. BUFH charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

BUFH vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFH achieves a 3.19% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -6.86% return.

BUFH

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.56%
• 6M: 2.79%
• YTD: 3.19%
• 1Y: 6.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.41%

IGLD

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: -1.46%
• 6M: -11.29%
• YTD: -6.86%
• 1Y: 13.43%
• 3Y*: 19.46%
• 5Y*: 12.05%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.73%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	$330.62K	$242.47K	$193.16K
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	$4.93M	$5.43M	$7.10M

BUFH vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	3.19%	3.81%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-6.86%	22.97%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFH and IGLD is 0.24, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.20

Return for Risk

BUFH vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BUFH

BUFH Risk / Return Rank: 94
BUFH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
BUFH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BUFH Omega Ratio Rank: 95
BUFH Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
BUFH Martin Ratio Rank: 94

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 23
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 26
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 20

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BUFH vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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.

	BUFH	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	0.54	+2.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.15	0.85	+3.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.12	+0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.16	0.57	+3.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.44	1.26	+18.17

BUFH vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFH Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFH and IGLD, 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

BUFH vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFH drawdown since its inception was -1.53%, smaller than the maximum IGLD drawdown of -23.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFH and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFH	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.53%	-23.84%	+22.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.53%	-23.84%	+22.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.84%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.84%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-22.29%	+22.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.17%	-5.71%	+5.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.33%	10.65%	-10.32%

Volatility

BUFH vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH) is 0.54%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 5.32%. This indicates that BUFH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFH	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.54%	5.32%	-4.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.88%	20.82%	-18.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40%	25.12%	-22.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.32%	15.75%	-13.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.32%	15.43%	-13.11%

BUFH vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFH has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFH vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

BUFH has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.29%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	23.29%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFH and IGLD in my portfolio?

BUFH and IGLD have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFH or IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (5.32%) compared to BUFH (0.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFH dropped -1.53% vs IGLD's -23.84%.

Which ETF is better, BUFH or IGLD?

On 1-year performance, IGLD leads with 13.43% vs 6.34% for BUFH. On fees, IGLD is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, BUFH has been the lower-risk option at 0.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFH or IGLD?

Over the 1-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 13.43% return vs 6.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFH or IGLD?

IGLD is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUFH or IGLD?

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 23.29%, compared with 0.00% for BUFH.

What is the main difference between BUFH and IGLD?

BUFH is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IGLD is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for BUFH and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 0.54), 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.