FTCE vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTCE (First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTCE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTCE charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

FTCE vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) 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, FTCE achieves a 14.69% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.14% return.

FTCE

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 10.79%
• YTD: 14.69%
• 6M: 15.43%
• 1Y: 37.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 4.14%
• 6M: 4.86%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTCE vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FTCE First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF	14.69%	15.39%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.14%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between FTCE and BUFX is 0.79, 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	0.79

Return for Risk

FTCE vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTCE

FTCE Risk / Return Rank: 81
FTCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FTCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FTCE Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FTCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FTCE Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

FTCE vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) 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.

	FTCE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.91	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.77	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.49	—	—
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

	FTCE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.91	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.50	2.70	-1.20

Drawdowns

FTCE vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTCE drawdown since its inception was -18.11%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCE and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTCE	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.11%	-2.87%	-15.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.16%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.50%	-0.24%	-2.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.64%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FTCE	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.16%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.03%	3.99%	+9.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.76%	3.99%	+12.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.76%	3.99%	+12.77%

FTCE vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTCE has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTCE vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

FTCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, 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%
FTCE First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF	0.79%	0.96%	0.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTCE and BUFX in my portfolio?

FTCE and BUFX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FTCE or BUFX?

On fees, FTCE is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTCE or BUFX?

FTCE is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

FTCE has the higher dividend yield at 0.79%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between FTCE and BUFX?

FTCE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTCE and 0.96% for BUFX.