BUFR vs. KNG
BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) and KNG (FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while KNG is a Dividend fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. BUFR is actively managed, while KNG is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BUFR returned 9.57%/yr vs 5.58%/yr for KNG. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUFR charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.
Performance
BUFR vs. KNG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BUFR achieves a 5.58% return, which is significantly lower than KNG's 6.46% return.
BUFR
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- -0.28%
- YTD
- 5.58%
- 6M
- 5.15%
- 1Y
- 14.90%
- 3Y*
- 13.68%
- 5Y*
- 9.57%
- 10Y*
- —
KNG
- 1D
- 0.66%
- 1M
- 3.86%
- YTD
- 6.46%
- 6M
- 5.62%
- 1Y
- 12.70%
- 3Y*
- 7.70%
- 5Y*
- 5.58%
- 10Y*
- —
BUFR vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF | 5.58% | 12.44% | 14.68% | 19.63% | -7.57% | 11.88% | 6.60% |
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF | 6.46% | 6.63% | 5.99% | 7.48% | -7.03% | 24.78% | 10.10% |
Correlation
The correlation between BUFR and KNG is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2020 | 0.68 |
Over the past year, the correlation between BUFR and KNG has dropped to 0.41 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
BUFR vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank
BUFR
KNG
BUFR vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) and FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG). 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 | KNG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.21 | +0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.25 | 1.48 | +1.77 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 17.23 | 3.72 | +13.51 |
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Drawdowns
BUFR vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BUFR drawdown since its inception was -13.73%, smaller than the maximum KNG drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFR and KNG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BUFR | KNG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.73% | -35.12% | +21.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.61% | -8.61% | +4.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.81% | -14.24% | +1.43% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.73% | -18.20% | +4.47% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.01% | -1.97% | +0.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.08% | -4.12% | +2.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.87% | 3.42% | -2.55% |
Volatility
BUFR vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) is 2.13%, while FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) has a volatility of 3.10%. This indicates that BUFR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KNG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BUFR | KNG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.13% | 3.10% | -0.97% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.23% | 7.65% | -2.42% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.63% | 10.40% | -3.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.48% | 13.58% | -3.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.22% | 17.15% | -6.93% |
BUFR vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison
BUFR has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than KNG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
BUFR vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison
BUFR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.07%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF | 9.07% | 8.61% | 9.08% | 5.91% | 4.00% | 3.45% | 3.62% | 4.09% | 3.46% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BUFR and KNG have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
KNG has higher volatility (3.10%) compared to BUFR (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFR dropped -13.73% vs KNG's -35.12%.
On 5-year performance, BUFR leads with 9.57% vs 5.58% for KNG. On fees, KNG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, BUFR has been the lower-risk option at 2.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 9.57% return vs 5.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
KNG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.
KNG has the higher dividend yield at 9.07%, compared with 0.00% for BUFR.
BUFR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while KNG is Dividend. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for BUFR and 0.75% for KNG.
BUFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.23), 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.
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