BUFY vs. GRID
BUFY (FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFY is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while GRID is a Infrastructure Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. BUFY is actively managed, while GRID is passively managed. Over the past year, BUFY returned 13.74% vs 33.13% for GRID. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. BUFY charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.
Performance
BUFY vs. GRID - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BUFY achieves a 7.46% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 22.54% return.
BUFY
- 1D
- 0.16%
- 1M
- 1.39%
- 6M
- 4.96%
- YTD
- 7.46%
- 1Y
- 13.74%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 9.39%
GRID
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- -0.41%
- 6M
- 12.21%
- YTD
- 22.54%
- 1Y
- 33.13%
- 3Y*
- 23.79%
- 5Y*
- 15.07%
- 10Y*
- 18.91%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.76%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.17M | $1.09M | $955.40K | |
| $110.01M | $102.42M | $133.91M |
BUFY vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
BUFY FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF | 7.46% | 18.22% | -7.01% |
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 22.54% | 29.65% | -5.44% |
Correlation
The correlation between BUFY and GRID is 0.73, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2024 | 0.71 |
The correlation between BUFY and GRID has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BUFY vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank
BUFY
GRID
BUFY vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFY) 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.
| BUFY | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.57 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.93 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.26 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.97 | 2.10 | +0.87 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.15 | 7.41 | +5.74 |
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Drawdowns
BUFY vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BUFY drawdown since its inception was -8.01%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFY and GRID.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BUFY | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.01% | -40.56% | +32.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.65% | -15.82% | +11.17% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -20.62% | — |
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 | 0.00% | -6.20% | +6.20% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.58% | -8.42% | +6.84% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.05% | 4.48% | -3.43% |
Volatility
BUFY vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFY) is 1.96%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a volatility of 8.70%. This indicates that BUFY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GRID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BUFY | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.96% | 8.70% | -6.74% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.04% | 20.46% | -14.42% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.87% | 23.19% | -16.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.38% | 21.73% | -13.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.38% | 22.83% | -14.45% |
BUFY vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison
BUFY has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.
Dividends
BUFY vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison
BUFY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFY FT Vest Laddered International 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 | 0.77% | 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
BUFY and GRID have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GRID has higher volatility (8.70%) compared to BUFY (1.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFY dropped -8.01% vs GRID's -40.56%.
On 1-year performance, GRID leads with 33.13% vs 13.74% for BUFY. On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, BUFY has been the lower-risk option at 1.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, GRID has performed better with a 33.13% return vs 13.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GRID is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for BUFY.
GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.77%, compared with 0.00% for BUFY.
BUFY is categorized as Defined Outcome, while GRID is Infrastructure Equities. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for BUFY and 0.70% for GRID.
BUFY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.44), 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.
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