BUFQ vs. FOCT

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) and FOCT (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD, while FOCT is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. BUFQ is passively managed, while FOCT is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, BUFQ returned 15.51%/yr vs 11.80%/yr for FOCT. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. BUFQ charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FOCT.

Performance

BUFQ vs. FOCT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October (FOCT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with BUFQ having a 8.37% return and FOCT slightly lower at 8.24%.

BUFQ

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 0.21%
• 6M: 7.17%
• YTD: 8.37%
• 1Y: 16.29%
• 3Y*: 15.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.74%

FOCT

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 1.40%
• 6M: 6.86%
• YTD: 8.24%
• 1Y: 17.96%
• 3Y*: 11.80%
• 5Y*: 9.18%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.28%

*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)
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	$4.67M	$5.07M	$6.16M
FOCT FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October	$901.74K	$817.51K	$2.05M

BUFQ vs. FOCT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	8.37%	14.03%	16.41%	35.51%	0.73%
FOCT FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October	8.24%	14.92%	9.62%	17.81%	4.56%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFQ and FOCT is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2022	0.88

The correlation between BUFQ and FOCT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFQ vs. FOCT — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 81
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 79
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 88

FOCT

FOCT Risk / Return Rank: 88
FOCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FOCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FOCT Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FOCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FOCT Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

BUFQ vs. FOCT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October (FOCT). 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.

	BUFQ	FOCT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.23	-0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	3.23	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.43	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	3.14	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.53	15.11	-1.58

BUFQ vs. FOCT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the FOCT Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFQ and FOCT, 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

BUFQ vs. FOCT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFQ drawdown since its inception was -15.74%, which is greater than FOCT's maximum drawdown of -14.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFQ and FOCT.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFQ	FOCT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.74%	-14.07%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.39%	-5.74%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.74%	-13.06%	-2.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.15%	0.00%	-1.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.27%	-2.21%	-0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.21%	1.19%	+0.02%

Volatility

BUFQ vs. FOCT - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) has a higher volatility of 3.45% compared to FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October (FOCT) at 2.11%. This indicates that BUFQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FOCT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFQ	FOCT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	2.11%	+1.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.40%	6.26%	+1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.08%	8.10%	+0.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.27%	11.15%	+2.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.27%	10.82%	+2.45%

BUFQ vs. FOCT - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFQ has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than FOCT's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFQ vs. FOCT - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFQ nor FOCT has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFQ and FOCT in my portfolio?

BUFQ and FOCT have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFQ or FOCT?

BUFQ has higher volatility (3.45%) compared to FOCT (2.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFQ dropped -15.74% vs FOCT's -14.07%.

Which ETF is better, BUFQ or FOCT?

On 3-year performance, BUFQ leads with 15.51% vs 11.80% for FOCT. On fees, FOCT is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, FOCT has been the lower-risk option at 2.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFQ or FOCT?

Over the 3-year period, BUFQ has performed better with a 15.51% return vs 11.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFQ or FOCT?

FOCT is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUFQ or FOCT?

BUFQ and FOCT have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BUFQ and FOCT?

BUFQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while FOCT is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for BUFQ and 0.85% for FOCT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FOCT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.80), 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.