GAUG vs. BUFD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GAUG is a Options Trading fund tracking the S&P 500, while BUFD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. GAUG is passively managed, while BUFD is actively managed. Over the past year, GAUG returned 14.06% vs 14.40% for BUFD. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFD.

Performance

GAUG vs. BUFD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GAUG having a 4.97% return and BUFD slightly higher at 5.08%.

GAUG

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 1.59%
• YTD: 4.97%
• 6M: 5.40%
• 1Y: 14.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFD

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 5.08%
• 6M: 5.68%
• 1Y: 14.40%
• 3Y*: 12.09%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: —

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

GAUG vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August	4.97%	11.28%	11.78%	5.84%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	5.08%	10.66%	12.42%	5.73%

Correlation

The correlation between GAUG and BUFD 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2023	0.86

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

GAUG vs. BUFD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GAUG	BUFD
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

GAUG vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAUG

GAUG Risk / Return Rank: 80
GAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
GAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
GAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 83
GAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
GAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 86

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFD Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

GAUG vs. BUFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). 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.

	GAUG	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	2.79	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	4.32	-0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.58	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	4.21	-0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.35	22.97	-4.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GAUG vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is comparable to the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAUG and BUFD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GAUG	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	2.79	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.65	1.00	+0.65

Drawdowns

GAUG vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAUG drawdown since its inception was -10.08%, smaller than the maximum BUFD drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAUG and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAUG	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.08%	-10.75%	+0.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.01%	-3.43%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.15%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-0.15%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-1.97%	+1.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	0.63%	+0.14%

Volatility

GAUG vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) is 0.75%, while FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) has a volatility of 0.79%. This indicates that GAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAUG	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.75%	0.79%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.33%	3.94%	+0.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.70%	5.19%	+0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.53%	7.73%	-0.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.53%	7.55%	-0.02%

GAUG vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAUG vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

Neither GAUG nor BUFD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAUG and BUFD in my portfolio?

GAUG and BUFD 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, GAUG or BUFD?

BUFD has higher volatility (0.79%) compared to GAUG (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAUG dropped -10.08% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, GAUG or BUFD?

On 1-year performance, BUFD leads with 14.40% vs 14.06% for GAUG. On fees, GAUG is cheaper at 0.85% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GAUG or BUFD?

Over the 1-year period, BUFD has performed better with a 14.40% return vs 14.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GAUG or BUFD?

GAUG is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GAUG or BUFD?

GAUG and BUFD have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GAUG and BUFD?

GAUG is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFD is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GAUG and 0.95% for BUFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.48), 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.