BUFR vs. RBIL

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) and RBIL (F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while RBIL is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg US Ultrashort TIPS 1-13 Months Index. BUFR is actively managed, while RBIL is passively managed. Over the past year, BUFR returned 15.54% vs 3.81% for RBIL. Their -0.20 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. BUFR charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for RBIL.

Performance

BUFR vs. RBIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) and F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF (RBIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFR achieves a 8.73% return, which is significantly higher than RBIL's 2.61% return.

BUFR

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 1.55%
• 6M: 8.13%
• YTD: 8.73%
• 1Y: 15.54%
• 3Y*: 13.91%
• 5Y*: 9.94%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.82%

RBIL

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.18%
• 6M: 2.25%
• YTD: 2.61%
• 1Y: 3.81%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.81%

*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)
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	$46.73M	$44.32M	$45.78M
RBIL F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF	$1.19M	$1.87M	$2.26M

BUFR vs. RBIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	8.73%	10.80%
RBIL F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF	2.61%	2.85%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFR and RBIL is -0.21, 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.	-0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 25, 2025	-0.20

Return for Risk

BUFR vs. RBIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 89
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 90
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 92

RBIL

RBIL Risk / Return Rank: 97
RBIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
RBIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
RBIL Omega Ratio Rank: 98
RBIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
RBIL Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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. RBIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) and F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF (RBIL). 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	RBIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	3.98	-1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	6.13	-2.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	2.00	-0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	6.80	-3.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.70	27.52	-9.81

BUFR vs. RBIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFR Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is lower than the RBIL Sharpe Ratio of 3.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFR and RBIL, 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. RBIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFR drawdown since its inception was -13.73%, which is greater than RBIL's maximum drawdown of -0.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFR and RBIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFR	RBIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.73%	-0.56%	-13.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.61%	-0.56%	-4.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.81%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.73%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-0.22%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.04%	-0.08%	-1.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	0.14%	+0.74%

Volatility

BUFR vs. RBIL - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) has a higher volatility of 2.05% compared to F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF (RBIL) at 0.28%. This indicates that BUFR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RBIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFR	RBIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.05%	0.28%	+1.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.45%	0.89%	+4.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.70%	0.96%	+5.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.49%	1.06%	+9.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.16%	1.06%	+9.10%

BUFR vs. RBIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFR has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than RBIL's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFR vs. RBIL - Dividend Comparison

BUFR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RBIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.16%.

Position	TTM	2025
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%
RBIL F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF	4.16%	3.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFR and RBIL in my portfolio?

BUFR and RBIL have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFR or RBIL?

BUFR has higher volatility (2.05%) compared to RBIL (0.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFR dropped -13.73% vs RBIL's -0.56%.

Which ETF is better, BUFR or RBIL?

On 1-year performance, BUFR leads with 15.54% vs 3.81% for RBIL. On fees, RBIL is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, RBIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFR or RBIL?

Over the 1-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 15.54% return vs 3.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFR or RBIL?

RBIL is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.

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

RBIL has the higher dividend yield at 4.16%, compared with 0.00% for BUFR.

What is the main difference between BUFR and RBIL?

BUFR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while RBIL is Inflation-Protected Bonds. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and F/m. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for BUFR and 0.17% for RBIL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RBIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.98 vs 2.33), 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.