BUFY vs. WNTR

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

BUFY (FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF) and WNTR (YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFY is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while WNTR is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BUFY returned 11.97% vs 115.98% for WNTR. At a correlation of -0.33, they often move in opposite directions. BUFY charges 1.00%/yr vs 1.01%/yr for WNTR.

Performance

BUFY vs. WNTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFY) and YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFY achieves a 4.90% return, which is significantly lower than WNTR's 17.65% return.

BUFY

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 4.90%
• 6M: 4.83%
• 1Y: 11.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

WNTR

• 1D: 6.51%
• 1M: 45.64%
• YTD: 17.65%
• 6M: 21.49%
• 1Y: 115.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFY vs. WNTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BUFY FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF	4.90%	11.42%
WNTR YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	17.65%	52.78%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFY and WNTR is -0.32, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	-0.33

Return for Risk

BUFY vs. WNTR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFY

BUFY Risk / Return Rank: 62
BUFY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
BUFY Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
BUFY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
BUFY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
BUFY Martin Ratio Rank: 68

WNTR

WNTR Risk / Return Rank: 63
WNTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
WNTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
WNTR Omega Ratio Rank: 64
WNTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
WNTR Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

BUFY vs. WNTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFY) and YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). 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	WNTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.20	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.46	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.33	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.59	2.73	-0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.04	6.99	+4.05

BUFY vs. WNTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFY Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the WNTR Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFY and WNTR, 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

BUFY vs. WNTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFY drawdown since its inception was -8.01%, smaller than the maximum WNTR drawdown of -42.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFY and WNTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFY	WNTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.01%	-42.65%	+34.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.65%	-42.65%	+38.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-4.02%	+3.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.65%	-20.87%	+19.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	16.66%	-15.57%

Volatility

BUFY vs. WNTR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFY) is 2.12%, while YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR) has a volatility of 18.14%. This indicates that BUFY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WNTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFY	WNTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.12%	18.14%	-16.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.82%	46.41%	-40.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.93%	53.16%	-46.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.49%	53.31%	-44.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.49%	53.31%	-44.82%

BUFY vs. WNTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFY has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is lower than WNTR's 1.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFY vs. WNTR - Dividend Comparison

BUFY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while WNTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 94.34%.

Position	TTM	2025
BUFY FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%
WNTR YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	94.34%	58.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFY and WNTR in my portfolio?

BUFY and WNTR have a correlation of -0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFY or WNTR?

WNTR has higher volatility (18.14%) compared to BUFY (2.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFY dropped -8.01% vs WNTR's -42.65%.

Which ETF is better, BUFY or WNTR?

On 1-year performance, WNTR leads with 115.98% vs 11.97% for BUFY. On fees, BUFY is cheaper at 1.00% per year. On volatility, BUFY has been the lower-risk option at 2.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFY or WNTR?

Over the 1-year period, WNTR has performed better with a 115.98% return vs 11.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFY or WNTR?

BUFY is cheaper with a 1.00% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for WNTR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUFY or WNTR?

WNTR has the higher dividend yield at 94.34%, compared with 0.00% for BUFY.

What is the main difference between BUFY and WNTR?

BUFY is categorized as Defined Outcome, while WNTR is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for BUFY and 1.01% for WNTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WNTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.74), 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.