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 0.57 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 5.28% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.10% return.
ESMV
- 1D
- -0.78%
- 1M
- 3.36%
- YTD
- 5.28%
- 6M
- 5.39%
- 1Y
- 6.76%
- 3Y*
- 11.27%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
BUFX
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- 1.35%
- YTD
- 4.10%
- 6M
- 4.88%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ESMV vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 5.28% | 2.34% |
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 4.10% | 5.62% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESMV and BUFX is 0.57, 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 26, 2025 | 0.57 |
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Return for Risk
ESMV vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank
ESMV
BUFX
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.
| ESMV | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.97 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.97 | — | — |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ESMV | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.67 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.44 | 2.68 | -2.25 |
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 | -0.78% | -0.07% | -0.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.33% | -0.24% | -5.09% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.28% | — | — |
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 | 2.25% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.26% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.06% | 3.98% | +6.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.24% | 3.98% | +9.26% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.24% | 3.98% | +9.26% |
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 1.58%, 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 | 1.58% | 1.56% | 1.71% | 1.75% | 1.66% | 0.24% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESMV and BUFX have a correlation of 0.57, 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 1.58%, 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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