GOCT vs. BUFD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GOCT (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - October) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GOCT is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BUFD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, GOCT returned 16.05% vs 14.40% for BUFD. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GOCT charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFD.

Performance

GOCT 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 - October (GOCT) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GOCT achieves a 5.42% return, which is significantly higher than BUFD's 5.08% return.

GOCT

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 1.91%
• YTD: 5.42%
• 6M: 5.72%
• 1Y: 16.05%
• 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)

GOCT vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GOCT FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - October	5.42%	12.29%	8.16%	6.59%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	5.08%	10.66%	12.42%	7.89%

Correlation

The correlation between GOCT and BUFD is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2023	0.86

The correlation between GOCT and BUFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

GOCT vs. BUFD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GOCT	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

GOCT vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

GOCT

GOCT Risk / Return Rank: 83
GOCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
GOCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
GOCT Omega Ratio Rank: 87
GOCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
GOCT Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

GOCT 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 - October (GOCT) 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.

	GOCT	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	2.79	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.93	4.32	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.58	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	4.21	-0.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.29	22.97	-4.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GOCT vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOCT Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is comparable to the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOCT 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

	GOCT	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	2.79	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.71	1.00	+0.71

Drawdowns

GOCT vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOCT drawdown since its inception was -10.47%, roughly equal to the maximum BUFD drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOCT and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOCT	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.47%	-10.75%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.40%	-3.43%	-0.97%
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	-0.13%	-0.15%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.70%	-1.97%	+1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	0.63%	+0.25%

Volatility

GOCT vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - October (GOCT) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) have volatilities of 0.79% and 0.79%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOCT	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.79%	0.79%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.72%	3.94%	+0.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.05%	5.19%	+0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.45%	7.73%	-0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.45%	7.55%	-0.10%

GOCT vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

GOCT vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

Neither GOCT nor BUFD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOCT and BUFD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, GOCT and BUFD move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, GOCT or BUFD?

BUFD has higher volatility (0.79%) compared to GOCT (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOCT dropped -10.47% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, GOCT or BUFD?

On 1-year performance, GOCT leads with 16.05% vs 14.40% for BUFD. On fees, GOCT 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, GOCT or BUFD?

Over the 1-year period, GOCT has performed better with a 16.05% return vs 14.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GOCT or BUFD?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between GOCT and BUFD?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.67), 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.