FAUG vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAUG is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

FAUG vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) 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, FAUG achieves a 6.33% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.12% return.

FAUG

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.63%
• YTD: 6.33%
• 6M: 6.20%
• 1Y: 18.25%
• 3Y*: 14.11%
• 5Y*: 8.87%
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 4.12%
• 6M: 4.24%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FAUG vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	6.33%	9.36%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.12%	5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between FAUG 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

FAUG vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAUG

FAUG Risk / Return Rank: 83
FAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
FAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 87
FAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

FAUG vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) 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.

	FAUG	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.57	—	—

Drawdowns

FAUG vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAUG drawdown since its inception was -22.33%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAUG and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAUG	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.33%	-2.87%	-19.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.26%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.81%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.32%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.82%	-0.24%	-2.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FAUG	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.70%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.59%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.17%	4.04%	+3.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.79%	4.04%	+6.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.72%	4.04%	+8.68%

FAUG vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAUG vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

Neither FAUG nor BUFX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAUG and BUFX in my portfolio?

FAUG and BUFX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FAUG or BUFX?

On fees, FAUG is cheaper at 0.85% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAUG or BUFX?

FAUG is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

FAUG and BUFX have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FAUG and BUFX?

FAUG is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FAUG and 0.96% for BUFX.