BUFT vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUFT (FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, BUFT returned 9.94%/yr vs 4.26%/yr for CAOS. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BUFT charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

BUFT vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF (BUFT) and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFT achieves a 5.16% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.82% return.

BUFT

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 5.16%
• 6M: 5.78%
• 1Y: 11.53%
• 3Y*: 9.94%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CAOS

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 0.82%
• 6M: 0.69%
• 1Y: 1.88%
• 3Y*: 4.26%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFT vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BUFT FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF	5.16%	9.67%	7.72%	10.60%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.82%	2.55%	5.33%	7.97%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFT and CAOS is -0.36, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2023	0.16

The correlation between BUFT and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.36 (1 year) to 0.16 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BUFT vs. CAOS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BUFT	CAOS
Technology	36.2%	33.1%
Financial Services	11.9%	12.4%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.0%
Healthcare	8.4%	9.6%
Industrials	8.1%	8.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	5.4%
Energy	3.5%	4.1%
Utilities	2.3%	2.6%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.0%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.9%

Return for Risk

BUFT vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFT

BUFT Risk / Return Rank: 95
BUFT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
BUFT Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
BUFT Omega Ratio Rank: 98
BUFT Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
BUFT Martin Ratio Rank: 97

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 40
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 39
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

BUFT vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF (BUFT) and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). 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.

	BUFT	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.49	1.24	+2.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.89	1.98	+3.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.04	1.26	+0.79
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.74	2.49	+3.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	50.19	6.22	+43.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFT vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFT Sharpe Ratio is 3.49, which is higher than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFT and CAOS, 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

	BUFT	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.49	1.24	+2.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	1.21	-0.38

Drawdowns

BUFT vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFT drawdown since its inception was -10.40%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFT and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFT	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.40%	-3.60%	-6.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.02%	-0.76%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.97%	-3.60%	-4.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-1.07%	+1.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.13%	-0.90%	-1.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.23%	0.30%	-0.07%

Volatility

BUFT vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF (BUFT) has a higher volatility of 0.31% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.26%. This indicates that BUFT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CAOS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFT	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.31%	0.26%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.77%	1.03%	+1.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.32%	1.52%	+1.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.94%	4.26%	+2.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.94%	4.26%	+2.68%

BUFT vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFT has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFT vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFT nor CAOS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFT and CAOS in my portfolio?

BUFT and CAOS have a correlation of -0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFT or CAOS?

BUFT has higher volatility (0.31%) compared to CAOS (0.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFT dropped -10.40% vs CAOS's -3.60%.

Which ETF is better, BUFT or CAOS?

On 3-year performance, BUFT leads with 9.94% vs 4.26% for CAOS. On fees, CAOS is cheaper at 0.63% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFT or CAOS?

Over the 3-year period, BUFT has performed better with a 9.94% return vs 4.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFT or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for BUFT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUFT or CAOS?

BUFT and CAOS have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BUFT and CAOS?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for BUFT and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.49 vs 1.24), 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.