BUFQ vs. RDVI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) and RDVI (FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD, while RDVI is a Derivative Income fund tracking the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BUFQ returned 16.97%/yr vs 19.39%/yr for RDVI. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUFQ charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for RDVI.

Performance

BUFQ vs. RDVI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFQ achieves a 9.49% return, which is significantly lower than RDVI's 10.69% return.

BUFQ

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 2.16%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 10.07%
• 1Y: 21.34%
• 3Y*: 16.97%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

RDVI

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: 3.01%
• YTD: 10.69%
• 6M: 11.63%
• 1Y: 26.63%
• 3Y*: 19.39%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFQ vs. RDVI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	9.49%	14.03%	16.41%	35.51%	0.03%
RDVI FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	10.69%	17.93%	14.56%	18.63%	9.91%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFQ and RDVI is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2022	0.61

The correlation between BUFQ and RDVI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

BUFQ vs. RDVI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BUFQ	RDVI
Technology	54.2%	17.6%
Communication Services	15.5%	5.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	12.2%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	4.1%
Healthcare	4.2%	8.1%
Industrials	2.8%	12.2%
Utilities	1.4%	1.4%
Basic Materials	1.2%	-
Energy	0.6%	1.4%
Financial Services	0.2%	36.5%
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

BUFQ vs. RDVI — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 84
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 86
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 89

RDVI

RDVI Risk / Return Rank: 64
RDVI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
RDVI Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
RDVI Omega Ratio Rank: 60
RDVI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
RDVI Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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. RDVI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI). 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	RDVI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	2.01	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	2.90	+0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.36	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.98	3.15	+0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.10	13.31	+6.79
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. RDVI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is comparable to the RDVI Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFQ and RDVI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BUFQ	RDVI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59	2.01	+0.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.42	1.21	+0.22

Drawdowns

BUFQ vs. RDVI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFQ drawdown since its inception was -15.74%, smaller than the maximum RDVI drawdown of -18.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFQ and RDVI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFQ	RDVI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.74%	-18.35%	+2.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.39%	-8.48%	+3.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.74%	-18.35%	+2.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	0.00%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.31%	-3.17%	+0.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	2.01%	-0.95%

Volatility

BUFQ vs. RDVI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) is 1.13%, while FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that BUFQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RDVI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFQ	RDVI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	3.72%	-2.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.41%	10.54%	-4.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.28%	13.30%	-5.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.34%	16.91%	-3.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.34%	16.91%	-3.57%

BUFQ vs. RDVI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFQ has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than RDVI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFQ vs. RDVI - Dividend Comparison

BUFQ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RDVI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.85%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RDVI FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	7.85%	8.10%	8.62%	8.45%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFQ and RDVI in my portfolio?

BUFQ and RDVI have a correlation of 0.65, 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 RDVI?

RDVI has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to BUFQ (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFQ dropped -15.74% vs RDVI's -18.35%.

Which ETF is better, BUFQ or RDVI?

On 3-year performance, RDVI leads with 19.39% vs 16.97% for BUFQ. On fees, RDVI is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, BUFQ has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFQ or RDVI?

Over the 3-year period, RDVI has performed better with a 19.39% return vs 16.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFQ or RDVI?

RDVI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

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

RDVI has the higher dividend yield at 7.85%, compared with 0.00% for BUFQ.

What is the main difference between BUFQ and RDVI?

BUFQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while RDVI is Derivative Income. BUFQ tracks NASDAQ 100 Index - USD, while RDVI tracks NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for BUFQ and 0.75% for RDVI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 2.01), 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.