GMOM vs. BUFR

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GMOM (Cambria Global Momentum ETF) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GMOM is a Momentum fund actively managed by Cambria, while BUFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GMOM returned 7.06%/yr vs 10.02%/yr for BUFR. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GMOM charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.

Performance

GMOM vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cambria Global Momentum ETF (GMOM) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GMOM achieves a 11.82% return, which is significantly higher than BUFR's 6.63% return.

GMOM

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 11.82%
• 6M: 13.95%
• 1Y: 29.52%
• 3Y*: 13.91%
• 5Y*: 7.06%
• 10Y*: 7.62%

BUFR

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 2.10%
• YTD: 6.63%
• 6M: 7.31%
• 1Y: 17.88%
• 3Y*: 14.63%
• 5Y*: 10.02%
• 10Y*: —

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

GMOM vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GMOM Cambria Global Momentum ETF	11.82%	20.63%	6.75%	0.65%	-2.82%	19.13%	8.17%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	6.63%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-7.57%	11.88%	7.57%

Correlation

The correlation between GMOM and BUFR is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 12, 2020	0.58

The correlation between GMOM and BUFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

GMOM vs. BUFR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GMOM	BUFR
Energy	20.7%	3.5%
Industrials	16.1%	7.9%
Basic Materials	15.6%	1.8%
Financial Services	12.0%	11.8%
Utilities	11.0%	2.4%
Technology	8.4%	35.8%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	10.2%
Communication Services	4.1%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	4.9%
Real Estate	2.2%	1.9%
Healthcare	1.1%	8.4%

Return for Risk

GMOM vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

GMOM

GMOM Risk / Return Rank: 65
GMOM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
GMOM Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
GMOM Omega Ratio Rank: 67
GMOM Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
GMOM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

GMOM vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cambria Global Momentum ETF (GMOM) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). 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.

	GMOM	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	2.75	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	4.00	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.56	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	3.90	-0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.12	21.10	-8.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GMOM vs. BUFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GMOM Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the BUFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GMOM and BUFR, 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

	GMOM	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.18	2.75	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.96	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	1.08	-0.58

Drawdowns

GMOM vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GMOM drawdown since its inception was -25.03%, which is greater than BUFR's maximum drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GMOM and BUFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	GMOM	BUFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.03%	-13.73%	-11.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.57%	-4.61%	-4.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.73%	-12.81%	-0.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.16%	-13.73%	-5.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.03%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.85%	-0.01%	-1.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.81%	-2.09%	-5.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	0.85%	+1.59%

Volatility

GMOM vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison

Cambria Global Momentum ETF (GMOM) has a higher volatility of 3.23% compared to FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) at 1.02%. This indicates that GMOM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GMOM	BUFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.23%	1.02%	+2.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.18%	4.95%	+6.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.61%	6.52%	+7.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.41%	10.44%	+3.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.82%	10.22%	+2.60%

GMOM vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

GMOM has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

GMOM vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison

GMOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, while BUFR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUFR FT Vest Laddered 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%
GMOM Cambria Global Momentum ETF	1.58%	3.01%	2.16%	3.63%	2.52%	3.42%	1.24%	2.60%	1.90%	2.05%	1.77%	1.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GMOM and BUFR in my portfolio?

GMOM and BUFR have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GMOM or BUFR?

GMOM has higher volatility (3.23%) compared to BUFR (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GMOM dropped -25.03% vs BUFR's -13.73%.

Which ETF is better, GMOM or BUFR?

On 5-year performance, BUFR leads with 10.02% vs 7.06% for GMOM. On fees, BUFR is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, BUFR has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GMOM or BUFR?

Over the 5-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 10.02% return vs 7.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GMOM or BUFR?

BUFR is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for GMOM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GMOM or BUFR?

GMOM has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 0.00% for BUFR.

What is the main difference between GMOM and BUFR?

GMOM is categorized as Momentum, while BUFR is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Cambria and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for GMOM and 0.95% for BUFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 2.18), 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.