BUFX vs. RND

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) and RND (First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust, while RND is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg R&D Leaders Select Index. Over the past year, BUFX returned 9.64% vs 17.18% for RND. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BUFX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for RND.

Performance

BUFX vs. RND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) and First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFX achieves a 3.81% return, which is significantly higher than RND's 0.98% return.

BUFX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 3.81%
• 6M: 3.64%
• 1Y: 9.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

RND

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -4.20%
• YTD: 0.98%
• 6M: -0.22%
• 1Y: 17.18%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFX vs. RND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	3.81%	5.43%
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF	0.98%	16.38%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFX and RND is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.85

The correlation between BUFX and RND has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFX vs. RND — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFX

BUFX Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
BUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
BUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

RND

RND Risk / Return Rank: 28
RND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
RND Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
RND Omega Ratio Rank: 29
RND Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
RND Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. RND - 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 Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND). 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	RND	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	1.05	+1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.79	1.50	+2.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.19	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	1.11	+2.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.91	3.90	+16.01

BUFX vs. RND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is higher than the RND Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFX and RND, 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. RND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFX drawdown since its inception was -2.87%, smaller than the maximum RND drawdown of -23.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFX and RND.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFX	RND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.87%	-23.52%	+20.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.87%	-15.56%	+12.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-5.94%	+5.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.25%	-3.72%	+3.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	4.41%	-3.92%

Volatility

BUFX vs. RND - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) is 1.22%, while First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) has a volatility of 6.16%. This indicates that BUFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFX	RND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.22%	6.16%	-4.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.39%	12.76%	-9.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.03%	16.48%	-12.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.03%	21.23%	-17.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.03%	21.23%	-17.20%

BUFX vs. RND - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than RND's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFX vs. RND - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFX nor RND has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFX and RND in my portfolio?

BUFX and RND have a correlation of 0.85, 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 RND?

RND has higher volatility (6.16%) compared to BUFX (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFX dropped -2.87% vs RND's -23.52%.

Which ETF is better, BUFX or RND?

On 1-year performance, RND leads with 17.18% vs 9.64% for BUFX. On fees, RND is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, BUFX has been the lower-risk option at 1.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFX or RND?

Over the 1-year period, RND has performed better with a 17.18% return vs 9.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFX or RND?

RND is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

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

What is the main difference between BUFX and RND?

BUFX is categorized as Defined Outcome, while RND is Large Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for BUFX and 0.60% for RND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.05), 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.