BUFX vs. OCTB

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) and OCTB (Aptus October Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. BUFX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for OCTB.

Performance

BUFX vs. OCTB - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFX achieves a 5.72% return, which is significantly lower than OCTB's 8.30% return.

BUFX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 1.06%
• 6M: 5.37%
• YTD: 5.72%
• 1Y: 10.07%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.26%

OCTB

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.37%
• 6M: 7.96%
• YTD: 8.30%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	$120.23K	$111.05K	$121.73K
OCTB Aptus October Buffer ETF	$328.96K	$198.73K	$113.39K

BUFX vs. OCTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	5.72%	2.14%
OCTB Aptus October Buffer ETF	8.30%	2.37%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFX and OCTB is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2025	0.92

Return for Risk

BUFX vs. OCTB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BUFX

BUFX Risk / Return Rank: 92
BUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
BUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
BUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
BUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
BUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

OCTB

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

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BUFX vs. OCTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) and Aptus October Buffer ETF (OCTB). 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	OCTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.90	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.62	—	—

Drawdowns

BUFX vs. OCTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFX drawdown since its inception was -2.87%, smaller than the maximum OCTB drawdown of -4.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFX and OCTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFX	OCTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.87%	-4.79%	+1.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.24%	-0.65%	+0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BUFX	OCTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.02%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.46%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.05%	7.14%	-3.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.96%	7.14%	-3.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.96%	7.14%	-3.18%

BUFX vs. OCTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

BUFX vs. OCTB - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFX nor OCTB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFX and OCTB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, BUFX and OCTB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, BUFX or OCTB?

On fees, OCTB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFX or OCTB?

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

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

BUFX and OCTB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BUFX and OCTB?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Aptus. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for BUFX and 0.25% for OCTB.