DBMF vs. BUFR
DBMF (iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DBMF is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by iM Global Partners, while BUFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, DBMF returned 8.70%/yr vs 9.55%/yr for BUFR. Their 0.13 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. DBMF charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.
Performance
DBMF vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DBMF achieves a 12.95% return, which is significantly higher than BUFR's 6.48% return.
DBMF
- 1D
- -0.25%
- 1M
- 3.44%
- 6M
- 7.95%
- YTD
- 12.95%
- 1Y
- 27.97%
- 3Y*
- 10.07%
- 5Y*
- 8.70%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 9.43%
BUFR
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 0.77%
- 6M
- 5.68%
- YTD
- 6.48%
- 1Y
- 12.42%
- 3Y*
- 12.65%
- 5Y*
- 9.55%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 10.49%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $41.80M | $42.66M | $45.08M | |
| $48.88M | $50.74M | $48.74M |
DBMF vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBMF iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 12.95% | 13.85% | 7.24% | -8.94% | 21.61% | 11.49% | 0.51% |
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF | 6.48% | 12.44% | 14.68% | 19.63% | -7.57% | 11.88% | 6.60% |
Correlation
The correlation between DBMF and BUFR is 0.35, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2020 | 0.13 |
Over the past year, DBMF and BUFR have become more correlated (0.35) than their long-term average of 0.13, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
DBMF vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank
DBMF
BUFR
DBMF vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF (DBMF) 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.
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.
| DBMF | BUFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.37 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.59 | 2.78 | +1.81 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.59 | 14.53 | +1.06 |
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Drawdowns
DBMF vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DBMF drawdown since its inception was -20.39%, which is greater than BUFR's maximum drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBMF and BUFR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DBMF | BUFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.39% | -13.73% | -6.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.10% | -4.61% | -1.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.60% | -12.81% | -2.79% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.39% | -13.73% | -6.66% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.25% | -0.90% | +0.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.49% | -2.05% | -4.44% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.79% | 0.88% | +0.91% |
Volatility
DBMF vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison
iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF (DBMF) has a higher volatility of 2.42% compared to FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) at 1.58%. This indicates that DBMF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DBMF | BUFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.42% | 1.58% | +0.84% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.96% | 5.26% | +4.70% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.66% | 6.66% | +6.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.43% | 10.47% | +1.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.37% | 10.16% | +2.21% |
DBMF vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison
DBMF has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
DBMF vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison
DBMF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.03%, while BUFR has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
DBMF iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 5.03% | 5.91% | 5.75% | 2.91% | 7.72% | 10.38% | 0.86% | 9.35% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DBMF and BUFR have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DBMF has higher volatility (2.42%) compared to BUFR (1.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBMF dropped -20.39% vs BUFR's -13.73%.
On 5-year performance, BUFR leads with 9.55% vs 8.70% for DBMF. On fees, DBMF is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, BUFR has been the lower-risk option at 1.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 9.55% return vs 8.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DBMF is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.
DBMF has the higher dividend yield at 5.03%, compared with 0.00% for BUFR.
DBMF is categorized as Systematic Trend, while BUFR is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: iM Global Partners and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DBMF and 0.95% for BUFR.
DBMF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.92), 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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