ESN vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESN is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Essential 40 Stock Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESN charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

ESN vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) 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, ESN achieves a 13.17% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.65% return.

ESN

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: 2.19%
• YTD: 13.17%
• 6M: 13.13%
• 1Y: 26.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 3.65%
• 6M: 4.29%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ESN vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	13.17%	9.87%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	3.65%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between ESN and BUFX is 0.70, 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	0.70

Return for Risk

ESN vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 84
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 81
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

ESN vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) 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.

	ESN	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.12	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.39	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ESN	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.24	2.51	-1.27

Drawdowns

ESN vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESN drawdown since its inception was -13.60%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESN and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESN	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.60%	-2.87%	-10.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.84%	-0.59%	-1.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.87%	-0.24%	-1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESN	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.24%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.90%	4.02%	+5.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.33%	4.02%	+9.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.33%	4.02%	+9.31%

ESN vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESN has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESN vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

ESN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.80%	0.91%	0.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESN and BUFX in my portfolio?

ESN and BUFX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ESN or BUFX?

On fees, ESN is cheaper at 0.70% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESN or BUFX?

ESN is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

ESN has the higher dividend yield at 0.80%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between ESN and BUFX?

ESN is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: KKM Financial and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for ESN and 0.96% for BUFX.