BUFX vs. IGLD
BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust, while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BUFX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.
Performance
BUFX vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BUFX achieves a 3.84% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -5.55% return.
BUFX
- 1D
- -0.27%
- 1M
- 0.09%
- YTD
- 3.84%
- 6M
- 3.89%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IGLD
- 1D
- -1.96%
- 1M
- -8.08%
- YTD
- -5.55%
- 6M
- -8.37%
- 1Y
- 14.83%
- 3Y*
- 20.33%
- 5Y*
- 12.76%
- 10Y*
- —
BUFX vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 3.84% | 5.43% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -5.55% | 22.97% |
Correlation
The correlation between BUFX and IGLD is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025 | 0.26 |
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Return for Risk
BUFX vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank
BUFX
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
IGLD
BUFX vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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 | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.14 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 0.68 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 1.94 | — |
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Drawdowns
BUFX vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BUFX drawdown since its inception was -2.87%, smaller than the maximum IGLD drawdown of -21.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFX and IGLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BUFX | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.87% | -21.90% | +19.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -21.90% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -21.90% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -21.90% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.59% | -21.20% | +20.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.24% | -5.37% | +5.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 7.68% | — |
Volatility
BUFX vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| BUFX | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 8.14% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 22.34% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.05% | 24.40% | -20.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.05% | 15.48% | -11.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.05% | 15.30% | -11.25% |
BUFX vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
BUFX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
BUFX vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison
BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.29%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 19.29% | 9.91% | 20.81% | 7.85% | 4.45% | 2.24% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BUFX and IGLD have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, IGLD is cheaper at 0.85% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
IGLD is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.
IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 19.29%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.
BUFX is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IGLD is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for BUFX and 0.85% for IGLD.
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