ESMV vs. BUFX
ESMV (iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESMV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Extended ESG Reduced Carbon Target Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESMV charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.
Performance
ESMV vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESMV achieves a 4.06% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.84% return.
ESMV
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- -0.61%
- YTD
- 4.06%
- 6M
- 3.40%
- 1Y
- 6.29%
- 3Y*
- 10.45%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
BUFX
- 1D
- -0.27%
- 1M
- 0.09%
- YTD
- 3.84%
- 6M
- 3.89%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ESMV vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 4.06% | 1.49% |
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 3.84% | 5.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESMV and BUFX is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025 | 0.59 |
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Return for Risk
ESMV vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank
ESMV
BUFX
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
ESMV vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) 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.
| ESMV | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.90 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.75 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
ESMV vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESMV drawdown since its inception was -19.77%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESMV and BUFX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESMV | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.77% | -2.87% | -16.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.01% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.16% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.93% | -0.59% | -1.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.28% | -0.24% | -5.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.29% | — | — |
Volatility
ESMV vs. BUFX - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| ESMV | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.82% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.53% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.16% | 4.05% | +6.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.20% | 4.05% | +9.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.20% | 4.05% | +9.15% |
ESMV vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESMV has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESMV vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison
ESMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.55% | 1.56% | 1.71% | 1.75% | 1.66% | 0.24% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESMV and BUFX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, ESMV is cheaper at 0.18% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
ESMV is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.
ESMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.55%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.
ESMV 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: 0.18% for ESMV and 0.96% for BUFX.
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