BUFS vs. KNG
BUFS (FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF) and KNG (FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFS 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. BUFS is actively managed, while KNG is passively managed. Over the past year, BUFS returned 18.99% vs 7.44% for KNG. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUFS charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.
Performance
BUFS vs. KNG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BUFS achieves a 7.57% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 2.20% return.
BUFS
- 1D
- -0.53%
- 1M
- 1.49%
- YTD
- 7.57%
- 6M
- 7.95%
- 1Y
- 18.99%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
KNG
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 0.89%
- YTD
- 2.20%
- 6M
- 2.33%
- 1Y
- 7.44%
- 3Y*
- 7.06%
- 5Y*
- 4.31%
- 10Y*
- —
BUFS vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
BUFS FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF | 7.57% | 7.08% | 6.83% |
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF | 2.20% | 6.63% | 4.29% |
Correlation
The correlation between BUFS and KNG is 0.60, 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 | 0.60 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2024 | 0.65 |
The correlation between BUFS and KNG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BUFS vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank
BUFS
KNG
BUFS vs. KNG - 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 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.
| BUFS | KNG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.40 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.96 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.13 | +0.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.07 | 0.87 | +3.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.32 | 2.25 | +14.07 |
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 | KNG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.13 | 0.73 | +1.40 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.32 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.98 | 0.49 | +0.49 |
Drawdowns
BUFS vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BUFS drawdown since its inception was -15.03%, smaller than the maximum KNG drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFS and KNG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BUFS | KNG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -15.03% | -35.12% | +20.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.68% | -8.61% | +3.93% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -14.24% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -18.20% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.61% | -5.89% | +5.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.42% | -4.13% | +1.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.17% | 3.32% | -2.15% |
Volatility
BUFS vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFS) is 1.83%, while FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) has a volatility of 2.29%. This indicates that BUFS 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
| BUFS | KNG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.83% | 2.29% | -0.46% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.45% | 7.39% | -1.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.99% | 10.19% | -1.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.21% | 13.59% | -2.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.21% | 17.18% | -5.97% |
BUFS vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison
BUFS has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than KNG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
BUFS vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison
BUFS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.67%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF | 8.67% | 8.61% | 9.08% | 5.91% | 4.00% | 3.45% | 3.62% | 4.09% | 3.46% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BUFS and KNG have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
KNG has higher volatility (2.29%) compared to BUFS (1.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFS dropped -15.03% vs KNG's -35.12%.
On 1-year performance, BUFS leads with 18.99% vs 7.44% for KNG. On fees, KNG is cheaper at 0.75% 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, BUFS has performed better with a 18.99% return vs 7.44%. 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 1.01% for BUFS.
KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.67%, compared with 0.00% for BUFS.
BUFS is categorized as Defined Outcome, while KNG is Dividend. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for BUFS and 0.75% for KNG.
BUFS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 0.73), 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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