DFAU vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFAU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFAU charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

DFAU vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) and FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAU achieves a 12.07% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.14% return.

DFAU

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 5.21%
• YTD: 12.07%
• 6M: 12.52%
• 1Y: 30.31%
• 3Y*: 21.97%
• 5Y*: 13.38%
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 4.14%
• 6M: 4.86%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFAU vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	12.07%	13.11%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.14%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAU and BUFX is 0.89, 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 26, 2025	0.89

Return for Risk

DFAU vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAU

DFAU Risk / Return Rank: 76
DFAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
DFAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
DFAU Omega Ratio Rank: 76
DFAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
DFAU Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

DFAU vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) 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.

	DFAU	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.33	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFAU	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.95	2.70	-1.75

Drawdowns

DFAU vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAU drawdown since its inception was -23.61%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAU and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAU	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.61%	-2.87%	-20.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.67%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-0.24%	-4.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DFAU	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.04%	3.99%	+8.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.02%	3.99%	+13.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.74%	3.99%	+12.75%

DFAU vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAU has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFAU vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

DFAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, 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%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	0.89%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAU and BUFX in my portfolio?

DFAU and BUFX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DFAU or BUFX?

On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFAU or BUFX?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFAU or BUFX?

DFAU has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between DFAU and BUFX?

DFAU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for DFAU and 0.96% for BUFX.