FSEP vs. BUFQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) and BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FSEP is a Options Trading fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index September, while BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FSEP returned 13.62%/yr vs 16.00%/yr for BUFQ. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FSEP charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for BUFQ.

Performance

FSEP vs. BUFQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSEP achieves a 5.82% return, which is significantly lower than BUFQ's 7.95% return.

FSEP

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 5.82%
• 6M: 5.41%
• 1Y: 15.95%
• 3Y*: 13.62%
• 5Y*: 9.80%
• 10Y*: —

BUFQ

• 1D: -1.33%
• 1M: -0.77%
• YTD: 7.95%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 19.01%
• 3Y*: 16.00%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FSEP vs. BUFQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	5.82%	12.83%	13.56%	20.23%	5.13%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	7.95%	14.03%	16.41%	35.51%	0.73%

Correlation

The correlation between FSEP and BUFQ is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2022	0.89

The correlation between FSEP and BUFQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FSEP vs. BUFQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSEP

FSEP Risk / Return Rank: 71
FSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 75
FSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
FSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 78

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 79
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

FSEP vs. BUFQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). 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.

	FSEP	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.27	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	3.32	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.45	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	3.54	-0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.23	17.65	-3.42

FSEP vs. BUFQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the BUFQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSEP and BUFQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FSEP vs. BUFQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSEP drawdown since its inception was -13.79%, smaller than the maximum BUFQ drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSEP and BUFQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSEP	BUFQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.79%	-15.74%	+1.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.62%	-5.39%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.37%	-15.74%	+3.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.96%	-1.53%	+0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.12%	-2.29%	+0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.12%	1.08%	+0.04%

Volatility

FSEP vs. BUFQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (FSEP) is 2.20%, while FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) has a volatility of 2.61%. This indicates that FSEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSEP	BUFQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.20%	2.61%	-0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.05%	6.77%	-0.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.62%	8.45%	-0.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.83%	13.31%	-2.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.53%	13.31%	-2.78%

FSEP vs. BUFQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSEP has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFQ's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSEP vs. BUFQ - Dividend Comparison

Neither FSEP nor BUFQ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSEP and BUFQ in my portfolio?

FSEP and BUFQ have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSEP or BUFQ?

BUFQ has higher volatility (2.61%) compared to FSEP (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSEP dropped -13.79% vs BUFQ's -15.74%.

Which ETF is better, FSEP or BUFQ?

On 3-year performance, BUFQ leads with 16.00% vs 13.62% for FSEP. On fees, FSEP is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, FSEP has been the lower-risk option at 2.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FSEP or BUFQ?

Over the 3-year period, BUFQ has performed better with a 16.00% return vs 13.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FSEP or BUFQ?

FSEP is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FSEP or BUFQ?

FSEP and BUFQ have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FSEP and BUFQ?

FSEP is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFQ is Nasdaq-100. FSEP tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index September, while BUFQ tracks NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FSEP and 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 2.11), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.