DSPY vs. BUFH

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DSPY (Tema S&P 500 Historical Weight ETF Strategy) and BUFH (FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DSPY is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Tema, while BUFH is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DSPY returned 22.85% vs 6.20% for BUFH. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DSPY charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFH.

Performance

DSPY vs. BUFH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Tema S&P 500 Historical Weight ETF Strategy (DSPY) and FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSPY achieves a 12.27% return, which is significantly higher than BUFH's 3.05% return.

DSPY

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -0.38%
• 6M: 9.96%
• YTD: 12.27%
• 1Y: 22.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 24.28%

BUFH

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.43%
• 6M: 2.73%
• YTD: 3.05%
• 1Y: 6.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.33%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	$306.65K	$225.75K	$191.92K
DSPY Tema S&P 500 Historical Weight ETF Strategy	$273.16K	$369.65K	$2.14M

DSPY vs. BUFH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DSPY Tema S&P 500 Historical Weight ETF Strategy	12.27%	10.80%
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	3.05%	3.81%

Correlation

The correlation between DSPY and BUFH is 0.76, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.74

The correlation between DSPY and BUFH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DSPY vs. BUFH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DSPY

DSPY Risk / Return Rank: 79
DSPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
DSPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
DSPY Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DSPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
DSPY Martin Ratio Rank: 86

BUFH

BUFH Risk / Return Rank: 93
BUFH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
BUFH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BUFH Omega Ratio Rank: 95
BUFH Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
BUFH Martin Ratio Rank: 94

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DSPY vs. BUFH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Tema S&P 500 Historical Weight ETF Strategy (DSPY) and FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH). 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.

	DSPY	BUFH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.52	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	3.93	-1.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.55	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	3.95	-1.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.58	18.47	-5.89

DSPY vs. BUFH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the BUFH Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSPY and BUFH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DSPY vs. BUFH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSPY drawdown since its inception was -12.15%, which is greater than BUFH's maximum drawdown of -1.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSPY and BUFH.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSPY	BUFH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.15%	-1.53%	-10.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.55%	-1.53%	-6.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.27%	0.00%	-1.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.23%	-0.17%	-1.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.71%	0.33%	+1.38%

Volatility

DSPY vs. BUFH - Volatility Comparison

Tema S&P 500 Historical Weight ETF Strategy (DSPY) has a higher volatility of 2.99% compared to FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH) at 0.53%. This indicates that DSPY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSPY	BUFH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	0.53%	+2.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.38%	1.88%	+7.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.96%	2.41%	+9.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.16%	2.33%	+13.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.16%	2.33%	+13.83%

DSPY vs. BUFH - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSPY has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFH's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSPY vs. BUFH - Dividend Comparison

DSPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, while BUFH has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%
DSPY Tema S&P 500 Historical Weight ETF Strategy	0.75%	0.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSPY and BUFH in my portfolio?

DSPY and BUFH have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DSPY or BUFH?

DSPY has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to BUFH (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSPY dropped -12.15% vs BUFH's -1.53%.

Which ETF is better, DSPY or BUFH?

On 1-year performance, DSPY leads with 22.85% vs 6.20% for BUFH. On fees, DSPY is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, BUFH has been the lower-risk option at 0.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DSPY or BUFH?

Over the 1-year period, DSPY has performed better with a 22.85% return vs 6.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DSPY or BUFH?

DSPY is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DSPY or BUFH?

DSPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.75%, compared with 0.00% for BUFH.

What is the main difference between DSPY and BUFH?

DSPY is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFH is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Tema and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for DSPY and 0.95% for BUFH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.80), 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.