BUFQ vs. WNTR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) and WNTR (YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD, while WNTR is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. BUFQ is passively managed, while WNTR is actively managed. Over the past year, BUFQ returned 16.29% vs 106.92% for WNTR. Their -0.50 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. BUFQ charges 1.10%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for WNTR.

Performance

BUFQ vs. WNTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFQ achieves a 8.37% return, which is significantly lower than WNTR's 10.51% return.

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%

WNTR

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 7.89%
• 6M: 8.31%
• YTD: 10.51%
• 1Y: 106.92%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 47.29%

*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
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	$3.92M	$3.66M	$3.95M

BUFQ vs. WNTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	8.37%	17.66%
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	10.51%	52.78%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFQ and WNTR is -0.48, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	-0.50

Return for Risk

BUFQ vs. WNTR — 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

WNTR

WNTR Risk / Return Rank: 69
WNTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
WNTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
WNTR Omega Ratio Rank: 71
WNTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
WNTR Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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. WNTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). 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	WNTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.97	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	2.27	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.30	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	2.52	+0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.53	6.38	+7.15

BUFQ vs. WNTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the WNTR Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFQ and WNTR, 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. WNTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFQ drawdown since its inception was -15.74%, smaller than the maximum WNTR drawdown of -42.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFQ and WNTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFQ	WNTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.74%	-42.65%	+26.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.39%	-42.65%	+37.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.74%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.15%	-9.84%	+8.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.27%	-20.15%	+17.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.21%	16.83%	-15.62%

Volatility

BUFQ vs. WNTR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) is 3.45%, while YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR) has a volatility of 13.00%. This indicates that BUFQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WNTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFQ	WNTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	13.00%	-9.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.40%	47.22%	-39.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.08%	54.66%	-45.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.27%	53.34%	-40.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.27%	53.34%	-40.07%

BUFQ vs. WNTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFQ has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than WNTR's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFQ vs. WNTR - Dividend Comparison

BUFQ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while WNTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 107.26%.

Position	TTM	2025
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	107.26%	58.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFQ and WNTR in my portfolio?

BUFQ and WNTR have a correlation of -0.48, 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 WNTR?

WNTR has higher volatility (13.00%) compared to BUFQ (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFQ dropped -15.74% vs WNTR's -42.65%.

Which ETF is better, BUFQ or WNTR?

On 1-year performance, WNTR leads with 106.92% vs 16.29% for BUFQ. On fees, WNTR is cheaper at 1.00% per year. On volatility, BUFQ has been the lower-risk option at 3.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFQ or WNTR?

Over the 1-year period, WNTR has performed better with a 106.92% return vs 16.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFQ or WNTR?

WNTR is cheaper with a 1.00% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

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

WNTR has the higher dividend yield at 107.26%, compared with 0.00% for BUFQ.

What is the main difference between BUFQ and WNTR?

BUFQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while WNTR is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for BUFQ and 1.00% for WNTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WNTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 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.