BUFT vs. PMDE

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BUFT (FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF) and PMDE (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFT is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while PMDE is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY). BUFT is actively managed, while PMDE is passively managed. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUFT charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMDE.

Performance

BUFT vs. PMDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF (BUFT) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December (PMDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFT achieves a 4.84% return, which is significantly higher than PMDE's 2.51% return.

BUFT

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: -0.12%
• YTD: 4.84%
• 6M: 4.87%
• 1Y: 10.43%
• 3Y*: 9.48%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PMDE

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 2.51%
• 6M: 2.53%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFT vs. PMDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BUFT FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF	4.84%	0.72%
PMDE PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December	2.51%	0.44%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFT and PMDE is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 2025	0.74

Return for Risk

BUFT vs. PMDE — 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: 94
BUFT Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
BUFT Omega Ratio Rank: 97
BUFT Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
BUFT Martin Ratio Rank: 98

PMDE

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. PMDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF (BUFT) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December (PMDE). 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.

	BUFT	PMDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.18	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.31	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.93	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.20	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	45.15	—	—

Drawdowns

BUFT vs. PMDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFT drawdown since its inception was -10.40%, which is greater than PMDE's maximum drawdown of -1.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFT and PMDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFT	PMDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.40%	-1.59%	-8.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.02%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.97%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.54%	-0.21%	-0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.11%	-0.25%	-1.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.23%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BUFT	PMDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.63%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.83%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.32%	2.47%	+0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.90%	2.47%	+4.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.90%	2.47%	+4.43%

BUFT vs. PMDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFT has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than PMDE's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFT vs. PMDE - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFT nor PMDE has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFT and PMDE in my portfolio?

BUFT and PMDE have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BUFT or PMDE?

On fees, PMDE is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFT or PMDE?

PMDE is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for BUFT.

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

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

What is the main difference between BUFT and PMDE?

BUFT is categorized as Options Trading, while PMDE is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for BUFT and 0.50% for PMDE.