ESGV vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ESGV (Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the FTSE US All Cap Choice Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESGV charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

ESGV vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) 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, ESGV achieves a 7.75% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.84% return.

ESGV

• 1D: -1.50%
• 1M: -1.12%
• YTD: 7.75%
• 6M: 6.70%
• 1Y: 23.45%
• 3Y*: 20.58%
• 5Y*: 11.61%
• 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)

ESGV vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	7.75%	13.06%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	3.84%	5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGV 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 25, 2025	0.90

Return for Risk

ESGV vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGV

ESGV Risk / Return Rank: 48
ESGV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
ESGV Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
ESGV Omega Ratio Rank: 49
ESGV Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
ESGV Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

ESGV vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) 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.

	ESGV	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.48	—	—

Drawdowns

ESGV vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGV drawdown since its inception was -33.66%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGV and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGV	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.66%	-2.87%	-30.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.60%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.41%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.81%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.56%	-0.59%	-2.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.40%	-0.24%	-6.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.77%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESGV	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.61%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.26%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.15%	4.05%	+10.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.48%	4.05%	+14.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.60%	4.05%	+16.55%

ESGV vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGV has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESGV vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

ESGV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	0.89%	0.91%	1.04%	1.16%	1.42%	0.95%	1.11%	1.27%	0.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGV and BUFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, ESGV 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, ESGV or BUFX?

On fees, ESGV is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGV or BUFX?

ESGV is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

ESGV has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between ESGV and BUFX?

ESGV is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for ESGV and 0.96% for BUFX.