FEX vs. BUFX
FEX (First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Large Cap Core Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FEX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.
Performance
FEX vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FEX achieves a 16.10% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.84% return.
FEX
- 1D
- -1.34%
- 1M
- 3.10%
- YTD
- 16.10%
- 6M
- 14.91%
- 1Y
- 28.96%
- 3Y*
- 20.58%
- 5Y*
- 11.42%
- 10Y*
- 13.56%
BUFX
- 1D
- -0.27%
- 1M
- 0.09%
- YTD
- 3.84%
- 6M
- 3.89%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FEX vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
FEX First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 16.10% | 10.01% |
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 3.84% | 5.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between FEX and BUFX is 0.73, 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 | 0.73 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
FEX vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank
FEX
BUFX
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FEX vs. BUFX - 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 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.
| FEX | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.67 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.75 | — | — |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
FEX vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FEX drawdown since its inception was -58.81%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEX and BUFX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FEX | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.81% | -2.87% | -55.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.23% | — | — |
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 | -1.34% | -0.59% | -0.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.87% | -0.24% | -7.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.73% | — | — |
Volatility
FEX vs. BUFX - Volatility Comparison
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FEX | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.09% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.99% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.19% | 4.05% | +9.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.57% | 4.05% | +12.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.60% | 4.05% | +14.55% |
FEX vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
FEX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.
Dividends
FEX vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison
FEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate 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 BUFX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
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.
FEX is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.
FEX has the higher dividend yield at 0.94%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.
FEX is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for FEX and 0.96% for BUFX.
Find the right allocation for FEX and BUFX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer