BUFS vs. GRID
BUFS (FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF) and GRID (First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFS is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. BUFS is actively managed, while GRID is passively managed. Over the past year, BUFS returned 18.99% vs 51.55% for GRID. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUFS charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.
Performance
BUFS vs. GRID - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BUFS achieves a 7.57% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 28.91% return.
BUFS
- 1D
- -0.53%
- 1M
- 1.49%
- YTD
- 7.57%
- 6M
- 7.95%
- 1Y
- 18.99%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GRID
- 1D
- -0.17%
- 1M
- 3.85%
- YTD
- 28.91%
- 6M
- 29.60%
- 1Y
- 51.55%
- 3Y*
- 26.27%
- 5Y*
- 17.84%
- 10Y*
- 19.76%
BUFS vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
BUFS FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF | 7.57% | 7.08% | 6.83% |
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index | 28.91% | 29.65% | 0.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between BUFS and GRID is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2024 | 0.76 |
The correlation between BUFS and GRID has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BUFS vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank
BUFS
GRID
BUFS vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFS) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID). 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.
| BUFS | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.54 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.45 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.07 | 4.42 | -0.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.32 | 16.72 | -0.40 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BUFS | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.13 | 2.67 | -0.54 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.85 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.87 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.98 | 0.57 | +0.41 |
Drawdowns
BUFS vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BUFS drawdown since its inception was -15.03%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFS and GRID.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BUFS | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -15.03% | -40.56% | +25.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.68% | -11.73% | +7.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -20.77% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.64% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -40.56% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.61% | -1.33% | +0.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.42% | -8.43% | +6.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.17% | 3.09% | -1.92% |
Volatility
BUFS vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFS) is 1.83%, while First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) has a volatility of 7.95%. This indicates that BUFS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GRID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BUFS | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.83% | 7.95% | -6.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.45% | 16.08% | -10.63% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.99% | 19.39% | -10.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.21% | 21.00% | -9.79% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.21% | 22.81% | -11.60% |
BUFS vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison
BUFS has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.
Dividends
BUFS vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison
BUFS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFS FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate 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% |
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index | 0.77% | 1.01% | 1.06% | 1.23% | 1.26% | 0.63% | 0.68% | 1.26% | 1.28% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.23% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BUFS and GRID have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GRID has higher volatility (7.95%) compared to BUFS (1.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFS dropped -15.03% vs GRID's -40.56%.
On 1-year performance, GRID leads with 51.55% vs 18.99% for BUFS. On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, BUFS has been the lower-risk option at 1.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, GRID has performed better with a 51.55% return vs 18.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GRID is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for BUFS.
GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.77%, compared with 0.00% for BUFS.
BUFS is categorized as Defined Outcome, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for BUFS and 0.70% for GRID.
GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 2.13), 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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