DEMZ vs. BUFX
DEMZ (Democratic Large Cap Core ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DEMZ is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Democratic Large Cap Core Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Over the past year, DEMZ returned 21.76% vs 9.40% for BUFX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DEMZ charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.
Performance
DEMZ vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DEMZ achieves a 8.22% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.77% return.
DEMZ
- 1D
- 0.20%
- 1M
- 1.96%
- YTD
- 8.22%
- 6M
- 6.93%
- 1Y
- 21.76%
- 3Y*
- 21.28%
- 5Y*
- 12.36%
- 10Y*
- —
BUFX
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- 0.02%
- YTD
- 3.77%
- 6M
- 3.59%
- 1Y
- 9.40%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
DEMZ vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
DEMZ Democratic Large Cap Core ETF | 8.22% | 12.52% |
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 3.77% | 5.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between DEMZ and BUFX is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025 | 0.84 |
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Return for Risk
DEMZ vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank
DEMZ
BUFX
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
DEMZ vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Democratic Large Cap Core ETF (DEMZ) and FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX). 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.
| DEMZ | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.78 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.58 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
DEMZ vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DEMZ drawdown since its inception was -27.17%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEMZ and BUFX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DEMZ | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -27.17% | -2.87% | -24.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.28% | -2.87% | -9.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.69% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.17% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.26% | -0.65% | -1.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.06% | -0.25% | -5.81% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.31% | — | — |
Volatility
DEMZ vs. BUFX - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| DEMZ | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.38% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.74% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.67% | 4.04% | +10.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.93% | 4.04% | +13.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.49% | 4.04% | +13.45% |
DEMZ vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
DEMZ has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.
Dividends
DEMZ vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison
DEMZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
DEMZ Democratic Large Cap Core ETF | 0.90% | 0.98% | 0.53% | 0.90% | 0.98% | 2.46% | 0.27% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DEMZ and BUFX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On 1-year performance, DEMZ leads with 21.76% vs 9.40% for BUFX. On fees, DEMZ is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, DEMZ has performed better with a 21.76% return vs 9.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DEMZ is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.
DEMZ has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.
DEMZ is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Reflection Asset Management, LLC and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for DEMZ and 0.96% for BUFX.
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