ESGU vs. BUFX
ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESGU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.
Performance
ESGU vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESGU achieves a 11.06% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.10% return.
ESGU
- 1D
- -0.79%
- 1M
- 5.51%
- YTD
- 11.06%
- 6M
- 10.93%
- 1Y
- 27.83%
- 3Y*
- 22.00%
- 5Y*
- 12.74%
- 10Y*
- —
BUFX
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- 1.35%
- YTD
- 4.10%
- 6M
- 4.88%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ESGU vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF | 11.06% | 12.86% |
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 4.10% | 5.62% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESGU and BUFX is 0.90, 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 | 0.90 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
ESGU vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank
ESGU
BUFX
ESGU vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) 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.
| ESGU | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.02 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.75 | — | — |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ESGU | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.30 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.74 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.83 | 2.68 | -1.85 |
Drawdowns
ESGU vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESGU drawdown since its inception was -33.87%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGU and BUFX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ESGU | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.87% | -2.87% | -31.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.26% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.32% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.15% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.79% | -0.07% | -0.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.89% | -0.24% | -4.65% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.03% | — | — |
Volatility
ESGU vs. BUFX - Volatility Comparison
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| ESGU | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.92% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.20% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.16% | 3.98% | +8.18% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.32% | 3.98% | +13.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.60% | 3.98% | +14.62% |
ESGU vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESGU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESGU vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison
ESGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF | 0.92% | 0.99% | 1.18% | 1.43% | 1.58% | 1.06% | 1.27% | 1.32% | 1.73% | 1.82% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESGU and BUFX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
ESGU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.
ESGU has the higher dividend yield at 0.92%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.
ESGU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ESGU and 0.96% for BUFX.
Find the right allocation for ESGU and BUFX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer