BUFT vs. SDMF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUFT (FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF) and SDMF (Simplify DBi CTA Managed Futures Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFT is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while SDMF is a Systematic Trend fund tracking the DBi CTA Managed Futures Index. BUFT is actively managed, while SDMF is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. BUFT charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SDMF.

Performance

BUFT vs. SDMF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF (BUFT) and Simplify DBi CTA Managed Futures Index ETF (SDMF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

BUFT

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

SDMF

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 2.33%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFT vs. SDMF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
BUFT FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF	4.50%
SDMF Simplify DBi CTA Managed Futures Index ETF	3.37%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFT and SDMF is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2026	-0.08

Return for Risk

BUFT vs. SDMF — 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

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. SDMF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF (BUFT) and Simplify DBi CTA Managed Futures Index ETF (SDMF). 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	SDMF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.49	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.89	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.04	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.74	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	50.19	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BUFT	SDMF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.49	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.93	-0.10

Drawdowns

BUFT vs. SDMF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFT drawdown since its inception was -10.40%, which is greater than SDMF's maximum drawdown of -6.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFT and SDMF.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFT	SDMF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.40%	-6.23%	-4.17%
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	-0.02%	0.00%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.13%	-2.26%	+0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.23%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BUFT	SDMF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.31%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.77%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.32%	13.27%	-9.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.94%	13.27%	-6.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.94%	13.27%	-6.33%

BUFT vs. SDMF - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFT has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than SDMF's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFT vs. SDMF - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFT nor SDMF has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFT and SDMF in my portfolio?

BUFT and SDMF have a correlation of -0.08, 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 SDMF?

On fees, SDMF is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFT or SDMF?

SDMF is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for BUFT.

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

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

What is the main difference between BUFT and SDMF?

BUFT is categorized as Options Trading, while SDMF is Systematic Trend. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for BUFT and 0.35% for SDMF.