BUFX vs. GRID
BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust, while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUFX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.
Performance
BUFX vs. GRID - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BUFX achieves a 3.84% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 23.40% return.
BUFX
- 1D
- -0.27%
- 1M
- 0.09%
- YTD
- 3.84%
- 6M
- 3.89%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GRID
- 1D
- -4.46%
- 1M
- -1.96%
- YTD
- 23.40%
- 6M
- 22.11%
- 1Y
- 42.41%
- 3Y*
- 24.21%
- 5Y*
- 16.63%
- 10Y*
- 19.95%
BUFX vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 3.84% | 5.43% |
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 23.40% | 13.24% |
Correlation
The correlation between BUFX and GRID is 0.71, 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 Jun 25, 2025 | 0.71 |
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Return for Risk
BUFX vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank
BUFX
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
GRID
BUFX vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID). 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 | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.35 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 3.63 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 12.92 | — |
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Drawdowns
BUFX vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BUFX drawdown since its inception was -2.87%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFX and GRID.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BUFX | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.87% | -40.56% | +37.69% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -11.73% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -20.77% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.64% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -40.56% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.59% | -5.55% | +4.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.24% | -8.42% | +8.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 3.29% | — |
Volatility
BUFX vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| BUFX | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 10.12% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 18.23% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.05% | 21.26% | -17.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.05% | 21.37% | -17.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.05% | 22.80% | -18.75% |
BUFX vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison
BUFX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.
Dividends
BUFX vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison
BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 0.80% | 1.01% | 1.06% | 1.23% | 1.26% | 0.63% | 0.68% | 1.26% | 1.28% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.23% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BUFX and GRID have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
GRID is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.
GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.80%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.
BUFX is categorized as Defined Outcome, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for BUFX and 0.70% for GRID.
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