BUFS vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUFS (FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF) and IGLD (FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFS is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while IGLD is a Precious Metals fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BUFS returned 18.99% vs 24.53% for IGLD. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BUFS charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

BUFS vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFS) and FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFS achieves a 7.57% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's 1.69% return.

BUFS

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: 1.49%
• YTD: 7.57%
• 6M: 7.95%
• 1Y: 18.99%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IGLD

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: -1.33%
• YTD: 1.69%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 24.53%
• 3Y*: 23.01%
• 5Y*: 13.02%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BUFS vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BUFS FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF	7.57%	7.08%	6.83%
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	1.69%	47.46%	10.48%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFS and IGLD is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2024	0.15

Return for Risk

BUFS vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BUFS

BUFS Risk / Return Rank: 72
BUFS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
BUFS Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
BUFS Omega Ratio Rank: 65
BUFS Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFS Martin Ratio Rank: 82

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 28
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 32
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BUFS vs. IGLD - 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 FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.06	+1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	1.47	+1.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.22	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.07	1.40	+2.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.32	3.82	+12.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFS vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFS Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFS and IGLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BUFS	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	1.06	+1.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.98	0.94	+0.04

Drawdowns

BUFS vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFS drawdown since its inception was -15.03%, smaller than the maximum IGLD drawdown of -18.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFS and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFS	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.03%	-18.59%	+3.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.68%	-17.56%	+12.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.56%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.59%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-15.16%	+14.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.42%	-5.24%	+2.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.17%	6.43%	-5.26%

Volatility

BUFS vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFS) is 1.83%, while FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 5.12%. This indicates that BUFS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFS	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.83%	5.12%	-3.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.45%	21.01%	-15.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.99%	23.24%	-14.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.21%	15.17%	-3.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.21%	15.00%	-3.79%

BUFS vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFS has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFS vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

BUFS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 17.92%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUFS FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	17.92%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFS and IGLD in my portfolio?

BUFS and IGLD have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFS or IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (5.12%) compared to BUFS (1.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFS dropped -15.03% vs IGLD's -18.59%.

Which ETF is better, BUFS or IGLD?

On 1-year performance, IGLD leads with 24.53% vs 18.99% for BUFS. On fees, IGLD is cheaper at 0.85% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFS or IGLD?

Over the 1-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 24.53% return vs 18.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFS or IGLD?

IGLD is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for BUFS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUFS or IGLD?

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 17.92%, compared with 0.00% for BUFS.

What is the main difference between BUFS and IGLD?

BUFS is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IGLD is Precious Metals. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for BUFS and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.06), 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.