BUFR vs. VDE
BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. BUFR is actively managed, while VDE is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BUFR returned 9.55%/yr vs 24.05%/yr for VDE. Their 0.32 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. BUFR charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.
Performance
BUFR vs. VDE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BUFR achieves a 6.48% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 35.27% return.
BUFR
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 0.77%
- 6M
- 5.68%
- YTD
- 6.48%
- 1Y
- 12.42%
- 3Y*
- 12.65%
- 5Y*
- 9.55%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 10.49%
VDE
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 10.29%
- 6M
- 22.82%
- YTD
- 35.27%
- 1Y
- 41.64%
- 3Y*
- 15.31%
- 5Y*
- 24.05%
- 10Y*
- 9.81%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.35%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $41.80M | $42.66M | $45.08M | |
| $71.54M | $103.66M | $111.94M |
BUFR vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF | 6.48% | 12.44% | 14.68% | 19.63% | -7.57% | 11.88% | 6.60% |
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 35.27% | 7.11% | 6.75% | 0.03% | 62.89% | 56.31% | 2.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between BUFR and VDE is -0.11, 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. | -0.11 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2020 | 0.32 |
The correlation between BUFR and VDE shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.32 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BUFR vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank
BUFR
VDE
BUFR vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE). 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 | VDE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.32 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.78 | 2.74 | +0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.53 | 7.34 | +7.19 |
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Drawdowns
BUFR vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BUFR drawdown since its inception was -13.73%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFR and VDE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BUFR | VDE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.73% | -74.20% | +60.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.61% | -15.04% | +10.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.81% | -21.41% | +8.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.73% | -26.58% | +12.85% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -69.29% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.90% | -4.29% | +3.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.05% | -19.90% | +17.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.88% | 5.59% | -4.71% |
Volatility
BUFR vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) is 1.58%, while Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a volatility of 5.13%. This indicates that BUFR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BUFR | VDE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.58% | 5.13% | -3.55% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.26% | 16.34% | -11.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.66% | 20.76% | -14.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.47% | 26.14% | -15.67% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.16% | 29.90% | -19.74% |
BUFR vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison
BUFR has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
BUFR vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison
BUFR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 2.39% | 3.11% | 3.23% | 3.34% | 3.65% | 4.13% | 4.76% | 3.42% | 3.35% | 2.90% | 2.31% | 3.17% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BUFR and VDE have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VDE has higher volatility (5.13%) compared to BUFR (1.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFR dropped -13.73% vs VDE's -74.20%.
On 5-year performance, VDE leads with 24.05% vs 9.55% for BUFR. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, BUFR has been the lower-risk option at 1.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VDE has performed better with a 24.05% return vs 9.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.
VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.39%, compared with 0.00% for BUFR.
BUFR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while VDE is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for BUFR and 0.09% for VDE.
VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.92), 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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