BUFX vs. MGC

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) and MGC (Vanguard Mega Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust, while MGC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mega Cap Index. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BUFX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for MGC.

Performance

BUFX vs. MGC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFX achieves a 4.12% return, which is significantly lower than MGC's 9.05% return.

BUFX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 4.12%
• 6M: 4.24%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MGC

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: -0.40%
• YTD: 9.05%
• 6M: 8.78%
• 1Y: 27.57%
• 3Y*: 22.54%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: 16.51%

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

BUFX vs. MGC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.12%	5.43%
MGC Vanguard Mega Cap ETF	9.05%	14.53%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFX and MGC is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.90

Return for Risk

BUFX vs. MGC — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFX

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

MGC

MGC Risk / Return Rank: 65
MGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
MGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
MGC Omega Ratio Rank: 66
MGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
MGC Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. MGC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) and Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC). 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	MGC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.13	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.88	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.38	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.81	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	12.20	—

Drawdowns

BUFX vs. MGC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFX drawdown since its inception was -2.87%, smaller than the maximum MGC drawdown of -52.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFX and MGC.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFX	MGC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.87%	-52.26%	+49.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.85%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.28%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.74%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	-2.36%	+2.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.24%	-7.17%	+6.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.27%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BUFX	MGC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.00%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.23%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.04%	13.01%	-8.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.04%	17.37%	-13.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.04%	18.27%	-14.23%

BUFX vs. MGC - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than MGC's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFX vs. MGC - Dividend Comparison

BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%.

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%
MGC Vanguard Mega Cap ETF	0.88%	0.93%	1.15%	1.35%	1.65%	1.17%	1.45%	1.81%	2.10%	1.83%	2.14%	2.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFX and MGC in my portfolio?

BUFX and MGC have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BUFX or MGC?

On fees, MGC is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFX or MGC?

MGC is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

MGC has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between BUFX and MGC?

BUFX is categorized as Defined Outcome, while MGC is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for BUFX and 0.05% for MGC.