BUFR vs. BUFD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BUFR returned 9.76%/yr vs 7.52%/yr for BUFD. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

BUFR vs. BUFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFR achieves a 7.33% return, which is significantly higher than BUFD's 5.83% return.

BUFR

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 0.60%
• 6M: 6.43%
• YTD: 7.33%
• 1Y: 14.83%
• 3Y*: 12.87%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.60%

BUFD

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 0.56%
• 6M: 5.12%
• YTD: 5.83%
• 1Y: 11.93%
• 3Y*: 11.03%
• 5Y*: 7.52%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.42%

*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)
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	$8.38M	$7.74M	$8.49M
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	$38.72M	$41.24M	$45.38M

BUFR vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	7.33%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-7.57%	11.15%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	5.83%	10.66%	12.42%	15.40%	-7.70%	5.86%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFR and BUFD is 0.95, 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.	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2021	0.88

The correlation between BUFR and BUFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFR vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 92

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 89
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 90
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
BUFD Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

BUFR vs. BUFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). 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.

	BUFR	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.12	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	3.18	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.42	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.27	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.68	17.29	-1.61

BUFR vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFR Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFR and BUFD, 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

BUFR vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFR drawdown since its inception was -13.73%, which is greater than BUFD's maximum drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFR and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFR	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.73%	-10.75%	-2.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.61%	-3.43%	-1.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.81%	-10.15%	-2.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.73%	-10.75%	-2.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	-0.08%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.05%	-1.92%	-0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	0.65%	+0.23%

Volatility

BUFR vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) has a higher volatility of 1.90% compared to FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) at 1.40%. This indicates that BUFR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFR	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.90%	1.40%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.41%	4.23%	+1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.78%	5.31%	+1.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.48%	7.75%	+2.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.16%	7.49%	+2.67%

BUFR vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BUFR and BUFD have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

BUFR vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFR nor BUFD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFR and BUFD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, BUFR and BUFD move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BUFR or BUFD?

BUFR has higher volatility (1.90%) compared to BUFD (1.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFR dropped -13.73% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, BUFR or BUFD?

On 5-year performance, BUFR leads with 9.76% vs 7.52% for BUFD. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, BUFD has been the lower-risk option at 1.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFR or BUFD?

Over the 5-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 9.76% return vs 7.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFR or BUFD?

BUFR and BUFD have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUFR or BUFD?

BUFR and BUFD have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BUFR and BUFD?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and FT Vest.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 2.04), 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.