FEX vs. BUFH
FEX (First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) and BUFH (FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Large Cap Core Index, while BUFH is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Over the past year, FEX returned 28.12% vs 6.20% for BUFH. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FEX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFH.
Performance
FEX vs. BUFH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FEX achieves a 16.46% return, which is significantly higher than BUFH's 2.30% return.
FEX
- 1D
- 0.32%
- 1M
- 3.43%
- YTD
- 16.46%
- 6M
- 14.85%
- 1Y
- 28.12%
- 3Y*
- 20.71%
- 5Y*
- 11.36%
- 10Y*
- 13.59%
BUFH
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.02%
- YTD
- 2.30%
- 6M
- 2.28%
- 1Y
- 6.20%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FEX vs. BUFH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
FEX First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 16.46% | 10.01% |
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF | 2.30% | 3.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between FEX and BUFH is 0.58, 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 | 0.58 |
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Return for Risk
FEX vs. BUFH — Risk / Return Rank
FEX
BUFH
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FEX vs. BUFH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX) and FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH). 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.
| FEX | BUFH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.53 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.26 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
FEX vs. BUFH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FEX drawdown since its inception was -58.81%, which is greater than BUFH's maximum drawdown of -1.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEX and BUFH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FEX | BUFH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.81% | -1.53% | -57.28% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.23% | -1.53% | -4.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.58% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.27% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.51% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.03% | -0.26% | -0.77% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.86% | -0.18% | -7.68% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.73% | — | — |
Volatility
FEX vs. BUFH - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| FEX | BUFH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.03% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.96% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.18% | 2.38% | +10.80% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.57% | 2.38% | +14.19% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.59% | 2.38% | +16.21% |
FEX vs. BUFH - Expense Ratio Comparison
FEX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFH's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
FEX vs. BUFH - Dividend Comparison
FEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, while BUFH has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FEX First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 0.94% | 1.10% | 1.18% | 1.38% | 1.61% | 0.80% | 1.21% | 1.32% | 1.34% | 1.07% | 1.29% | 1.33% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FEX and BUFH have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On 1-year performance, FEX leads with 28.12% vs 6.20% for BUFH. On fees, FEX is cheaper at 0.57% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, FEX has performed better with a 28.12% return vs 6.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FEX is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFH.
FEX has the higher dividend yield at 0.94%, compared with 0.00% for BUFH.
FEX is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFH is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for FEX and 0.95% for BUFH.
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