DAUG vs. BUFQ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DAUG (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August) and BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DAUG is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DAUG returned 11.98%/yr vs 16.52%/yr for BUFQ. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for BUFQ.

Performance

DAUG vs. BUFQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DAUG achieves a 5.31% return, which is significantly lower than BUFQ's 9.40% return.

DAUG

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.65%
• YTD: 5.31%
• 6M: 5.28%
• 1Y: 14.97%
• 3Y*: 11.98%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: —

BUFQ

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 9.40%
• 6M: 9.25%
• 1Y: 21.55%
• 3Y*: 16.52%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DAUG vs. BUFQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August	5.31%	11.75%	12.00%	13.85%	-3.77%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	9.40%	14.03%	16.41%	35.51%	0.73%

Correlation

The correlation between DAUG and BUFQ is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2022	0.86

The correlation between DAUG and BUFQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DAUG vs. BUFQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

DAUG

DAUG Risk / Return Rank: 85
DAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
DAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 90
DAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 87

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

DAUG vs. BUFQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). 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.

	DAUG	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	2.60	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	3.83	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.52	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	4.01	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.14	20.08	-1.94

DAUG vs. BUFQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.69, which is comparable to the BUFQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAUG and BUFQ, 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

DAUG vs. BUFQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAUG drawdown since its inception was -15.34%, roughly equal to the maximum BUFQ drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAUG and BUFQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAUG	BUFQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.34%	-15.74%	+0.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.37%	-5.39%	+1.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.53%	-15.74%	+5.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-0.20%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.80%	-2.29%	-0.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	1.08%	-0.25%

Volatility

DAUG vs. BUFQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) is 1.31%, while FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) has a volatility of 2.22%. This indicates that DAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DAUG	BUFQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.31%	2.22%	-0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.48%	6.66%	-2.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.60%	8.35%	-2.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.07%	13.30%	-5.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.25%	13.30%	-4.05%

DAUG vs. BUFQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

DAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFQ's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

DAUG vs. BUFQ - Dividend Comparison

Neither DAUG nor BUFQ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DAUG and BUFQ in my portfolio?

DAUG and BUFQ have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DAUG or BUFQ?

BUFQ has higher volatility (2.22%) compared to DAUG (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAUG dropped -15.34% vs BUFQ's -15.74%.

Which ETF is better, DAUG or BUFQ?

On 3-year performance, BUFQ leads with 16.52% vs 11.98% for DAUG. On fees, DAUG is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, DAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DAUG or BUFQ?

Over the 3-year period, BUFQ has performed better with a 16.52% return vs 11.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DAUG or BUFQ?

DAUG is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DAUG or BUFQ?

DAUG and BUFQ have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DAUG and BUFQ?

DAUG is categorized as Defined Outcome, while BUFQ is Nasdaq-100. DAUG tracks S&P 500, while BUFQ tracks NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DAUG and 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 2.60), 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.