DJUL vs. BUFD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DJUL (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - July) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DJUL is a Options Trading fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect July Series Index, while BUFD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. DJUL is passively managed, while BUFD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, DJUL returned 8.95%/yr vs 7.68%/yr for BUFD. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DJUL charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFD.

Performance

DJUL vs. BUFD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DJUL achieves a 4.86% return, which is significantly lower than BUFD's 5.17% return.

DJUL

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.35%
• YTD: 4.86%
• 6M: 5.63%
• 1Y: 16.81%
• 3Y*: 14.03%
• 5Y*: 8.95%
• 10Y*: —

BUFD

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 1.78%
• YTD: 5.17%
• 6M: 5.92%
• 1Y: 14.85%
• 3Y*: 12.12%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: —

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

DJUL vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DJUL FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - July	4.86%	13.31%	15.02%	18.08%	-8.28%	5.80%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	5.17%	10.66%	12.42%	15.40%	-7.70%	5.97%

Correlation

The correlation between DJUL and BUFD is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2021	0.86

The correlation between DJUL and BUFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

DJUL vs. BUFD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DJUL	BUFD
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

DJUL vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

DJUL

DJUL Risk / Return Rank: 88
DJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
DJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
DJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
DJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
DJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 90

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 89
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BUFD Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

DJUL vs. BUFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - July (DJUL) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). 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.

	DJUL	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.99	2.87	+0.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.53	4.44	+0.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.60	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.01	4.46	-0.45
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	21.68	24.34	-2.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DJUL vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DJUL Sharpe Ratio is 2.99, which is comparable to the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DJUL and BUFD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DJUL	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.99	2.87	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.07	1.00	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.11	1.00	+0.11

Drawdowns

DJUL vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DJUL drawdown since its inception was -12.54%, which is greater than BUFD's maximum drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DJUL and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	DJUL	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.54%	-10.75%	-1.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.25%	-3.43%	-0.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.29%	-10.15%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-12.54%	-10.75%	-1.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-0.07%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.00%	-1.97%	-0.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.79%	0.63%	+0.16%

Volatility

DJUL vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - July (DJUL) is 0.64%, while FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) has a volatility of 0.78%. This indicates that DJUL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DJUL	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	0.78%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.16%	3.94%	+0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.65%	5.20%	+0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.39%	7.73%	+0.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.94%	7.55%	+0.39%

DJUL vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

DJUL has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

DJUL vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

Neither DJUL nor BUFD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DJUL and BUFD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, DJUL and BUFD move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DJUL or BUFD?

BUFD has higher volatility (0.78%) compared to DJUL (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DJUL dropped -12.54% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, DJUL or BUFD?

On 5-year performance, DJUL leads with 8.95% vs 7.68% for BUFD. On fees, DJUL is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, DJUL has been the lower-risk option at 0.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DJUL or BUFD?

Over the 5-year period, DJUL has performed better with a 8.95% return vs 7.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DJUL or BUFD?

DJUL is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DJUL or BUFD?

DJUL and BUFD have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DJUL and BUFD?

DJUL is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFD is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DJUL and 0.95% for BUFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DJUL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.87), 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.