BUFX vs. AVIE

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) and AVIE (Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust, while AVIE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. Over the past year, BUFX returned 9.47% vs 25.47% for AVIE. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BUFX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVIE.

Performance

BUFX vs. AVIE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) and Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFX achieves a 4.76% return, which is significantly lower than AVIE's 16.28% return.

BUFX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.86%
• 6M: 4.31%
• YTD: 4.76%
• 1Y: 9.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVIE

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 1.10%
• 6M: 13.30%
• YTD: 16.28%
• 1Y: 25.47%
• 3Y*: 13.32%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFX vs. AVIE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.76%	5.43%
AVIE Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF	16.28%	8.76%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFX and AVIE is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.20

Return for Risk

BUFX vs. AVIE — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFX

BUFX Risk / Return Rank: 90
BUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
BUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
BUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
BUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

AVIE

AVIE Risk / Return Rank: 91
AVIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
AVIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
AVIE Omega Ratio Rank: 89
AVIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
AVIE Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

BUFX vs. AVIE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) and Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE). 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.

	BUFX	AVIE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.51	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.72	3.63	+0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.44	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	5.15	-1.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.50	16.27	+3.22

BUFX vs. AVIE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the AVIE Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFX and AVIE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BUFX vs. AVIE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFX drawdown since its inception was -2.87%, smaller than the maximum AVIE drawdown of -12.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFX and AVIE.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFX	AVIE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.87%	-12.39%	+9.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.87%	-4.97%	+2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.39%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-0.63%	+0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.24%	-2.97%	+2.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	1.58%	-1.09%

Volatility

BUFX vs. AVIE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) is 0.96%, while Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE) has a volatility of 3.73%. This indicates that BUFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVIE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFX	AVIE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.96%	3.73%	-2.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.39%	7.50%	-4.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.02%	10.21%	-6.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.97%	12.90%	-8.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.97%	12.90%	-8.93%

BUFX vs. AVIE - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than AVIE's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFX vs. AVIE - Dividend Comparison

BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AVIE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVIE Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF	1.43%	1.75%	1.89%	3.72%	0.39%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFX and AVIE in my portfolio?

BUFX and AVIE have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFX or AVIE?

AVIE has higher volatility (3.73%) compared to BUFX (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFX dropped -2.87% vs AVIE's -12.39%.

Which ETF is better, BUFX or AVIE?

On 1-year performance, AVIE leads with 25.47% vs 9.47% for BUFX. On fees, AVIE is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, BUFX has been the lower-risk option at 0.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFX or AVIE?

Over the 1-year period, AVIE has performed better with a 25.47% return vs 9.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFX or AVIE?

AVIE is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUFX or AVIE?

AVIE has the higher dividend yield at 1.43%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between BUFX and AVIE?

BUFX is categorized as Defined Outcome, while AVIE is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for BUFX and 0.25% for AVIE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVIE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.37), 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.