CAOS vs. BUFR

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR).

CAOS and BUFR are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. CAOS is an actively managed fund by Alpha Architect. It was launched on Aug 14, 2013. BUFR is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on Aug 10, 2020.

Performance

CAOS vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

CAOS vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	1.10%	2.55%	5.33%	7.97%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	-1.43%	12.44%	14.68%	14.53%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CAOS achieves a 1.10% return, which is significantly higher than BUFR's -1.43% return.

CAOS

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 6M: 1.37%
• 1Y: 3.19%
• 3Y*: 5.46%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFR

• 1D: 1.90%
• 1M: -2.26%
• YTD: -1.43%
• 6M: 1.05%
• 1Y: 13.74%
• 3Y*: 12.89%
• 5Y*: 8.75%
• 10Y*: —

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

CAOS vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

CAOS has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.

BUFR

FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF

CAOS

Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF

Return for Risk

CAOS vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 41
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 72
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 23

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 76
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

CAOS vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). 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.

	CAOS	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.69	1.24	-0.56
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	1.81	-0.84
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.30	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.83	1.63	-0.80
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.38	9.18	-7.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CAOS vs. BUFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CAOS Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is lower than the BUFR Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CAOS and BUFR, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CAOS	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69	1.24	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.27	0.95	+0.32

Correlation

The correlation between CAOS and BUFR is 0.13, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

CAOS vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison

Neither CAOS nor BUFR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

CAOS vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAOS drawdown since its inception was -3.60%, smaller than the maximum BUFR drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAOS and BUFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAOS	BUFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.60%	-13.73%	+10.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.60%	-8.76%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-2.79%	+1.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.90%	-2.15%	+1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.18%	1.56%	+0.62%

Volatility

CAOS vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) is 0.74%, while FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) has a volatility of 3.44%. This indicates that CAOS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CAOS	BUFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.74%	3.44%	-2.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.30%	5.22%	-3.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.68%	11.11%	-6.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.37%	10.46%	-6.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.37%	10.34%	-5.97%