BUFQ vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC).

BUFQ is a passively managed fund by FT Vest that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. It was launched on Jun 15, 2022.

Performance

BUFQ vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

BUFQ vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	-0.95%	14.03%	16.41%	35.51%	0.75%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-3.95%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	4.71%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFQ achieves a -0.95% return, which is significantly higher than ^GSPC's -3.95% return.

BUFQ

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: -1.00%
• YTD: -0.95%
• 6M: 1.78%
• 1Y: 18.25%
• 3Y*: 15.50%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -4.45%
• YTD: -3.95%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 16.73%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

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

Return for Risk

BUFQ vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 79
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 89

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 67
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

BUFQ vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	BUFQ	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	0.92	+0.41
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	1.41	+0.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.21	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	1.41	+0.72
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.76	6.61	+5.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFQ vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is higher than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFQ and ^GSPC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BUFQ	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	0.92	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.24	0.46	+0.78

Correlation

The correlation between BUFQ and ^GSPC is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Drawdowns

BUFQ vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFQ drawdown since its inception was -15.74%, smaller than the maximum ^GSPC drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFQ and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFQ	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.74%	-56.78%	+41.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.83%	-12.14%	+3.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.43%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.92%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.37%	-5.78%	+3.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.41%	-10.75%	+8.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	2.60%	-0.99%

Volatility

BUFQ vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) is 4.28%, while S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) has a volatility of 5.37%. This indicates that BUFQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFQ	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.28%	5.37%	-1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.78%	9.55%	-2.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.87%	18.33%	-4.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.56%	16.90%	-3.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.56%	18.05%	-4.49%