ESGU vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

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 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESGU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

ESGU vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) 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, ESGU achieves a 8.38% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.84% return.

ESGU

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: -1.03%
• YTD: 8.38%
• 6M: 7.35%
• 1Y: 23.73%
• 3Y*: 20.47%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 3.84%
• 6M: 3.89%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ESGU vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	8.38%	12.81%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	3.84%	5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGU and BUFX is 0.91, 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 25, 2025	0.91

Return for Risk

ESGU vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGU

ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 58
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 56
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 65

BUFX

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

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.

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.

	ESGU	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.27	—	—

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGU	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest 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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.19%	-0.59%	-2.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-0.24%	-4.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESGU	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.97%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.11%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.81%	4.05%	+8.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	4.05%	+13.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.60%	4.05%	+14.55%

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 0.95%, 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	0.95%	0.99%	1.18%	1.43%	1.58%	1.06%	1.27%	1.32%	1.73%	1.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGU and BUFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, ESGU and BUFX 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 ETF is better, ESGU or BUFX?

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.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGU or BUFX?

ESGU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

ESGU has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between ESGU and 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.