DNOV vs. BUFQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DNOV (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November) and BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DNOV 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, DNOV returned 13.20%/yr vs 17.01%/yr for BUFQ. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DNOV charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for BUFQ.

Performance

DNOV 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 - November (DNOV) 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, DNOV achieves a 4.96% return, which is significantly lower than BUFQ's 9.57% return.

DNOV

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.74%
• YTD: 4.96%
• 6M: 5.56%
• 1Y: 18.05%
• 3Y*: 13.20%
• 5Y*: 8.18%
• 10Y*: —

BUFQ

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 9.57%
• 6M: 10.28%
• 1Y: 22.53%
• 3Y*: 17.01%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DNOV vs. BUFQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DNOV FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November	4.96%	13.93%	10.71%	18.52%	1.97%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	9.57%	14.03%	16.41%	35.51%	0.75%

Correlation

The correlation between DNOV and BUFQ is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 17, 2022	0.84

The correlation between DNOV and BUFQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

DNOV vs. BUFQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DNOV	BUFQ
Technology	36.2%	54.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	0.2%
Communication Services	10.9%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	4.2%
Industrials	8.1%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.6%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.2%

Return for Risk

DNOV vs. BUFQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

DNOV

DNOV Risk / Return Rank: 90
DNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
DNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
DNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
DNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 92

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 87
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.

DNOV 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 - November (DNOV) 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.

	DNOV	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.17	2.72	+0.44
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.78	4.03	+0.76
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.55	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.37	4.25	+0.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	23.48	21.52	+1.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DNOV vs. BUFQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DNOV Sharpe Ratio is 3.17, which is comparable to the BUFQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DNOV 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DNOV	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.17	2.72	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.08	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	1.43	-0.51

Drawdowns

DNOV vs. BUFQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DNOV drawdown since its inception was -15.03%, roughly equal to the maximum BUFQ drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DNOV and BUFQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	DNOV	BUFQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.03%	-15.74%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.18%	-5.39%	+1.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.98%	-15.74%	+5.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.98%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.01%	-2.31%	+0.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	1.06%	-0.28%

Volatility

DNOV vs. BUFQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November (DNOV) is 0.85%, while FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) has a volatility of 1.17%. This indicates that DNOV 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

	DNOV	BUFQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.85%	1.17%	-0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.21%	6.42%	-2.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.73%	8.31%	-2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.62%	13.35%	-5.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.04%	13.35%	-4.31%

DNOV vs. BUFQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

DNOV vs. BUFQ - Dividend Comparison

Neither DNOV nor BUFQ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DNOV and BUFQ in my portfolio?

DNOV and BUFQ have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DNOV or BUFQ?

BUFQ has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to DNOV (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DNOV dropped -15.03% vs BUFQ's -15.74%.

Which ETF is better, DNOV or BUFQ?

On 3-year performance, BUFQ leads with 17.01% vs 13.20% for DNOV. On fees, DNOV is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, DNOV has been the lower-risk option at 0.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DNOV or BUFQ?

Over the 3-year period, BUFQ has performed better with a 17.01% return vs 13.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DNOV or BUFQ?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between DNOV and BUFQ?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DNOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.17 vs 2.72), 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.