GVI vs. BUFR
GVI (iShares Intermediate Government/Credit Bond ETF) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GVI is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Intermediate Government/Credit Bond, while BUFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust. GVI is passively managed, while BUFR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GVI returned 1.00%/yr vs 10.02%/yr for BUFR. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GVI charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.
Performance
GVI vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GVI achieves a 0.09% return, which is significantly lower than BUFR's 6.63% return.
GVI
- 1D
- 0.09%
- 1M
- 0.02%
- YTD
- 0.09%
- 6M
- 0.31%
- 1Y
- 3.57%
- 3Y*
- 4.23%
- 5Y*
- 1.00%
- 10Y*
- 1.81%
BUFR
- 1D
- 0.19%
- 1M
- 2.10%
- YTD
- 6.63%
- 6M
- 7.31%
- 1Y
- 17.88%
- 3Y*
- 14.63%
- 5Y*
- 10.02%
- 10Y*
- —
GVI vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GVI iShares Intermediate Government/Credit Bond ETF | 0.09% | 6.66% | 2.92% | 5.15% | -8.28% | -1.90% | 0.35% |
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF | 6.63% | 12.44% | 14.68% | 19.63% | -7.57% | 11.88% | 7.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between GVI and BUFR is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 12, 2020 | 0.13 |
The correlation between GVI and BUFR shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GVI vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank
GVI
BUFR
GVI vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Intermediate Government/Credit Bond ETF (GVI) 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.
| GVI | BUFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.80 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.56 | -0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.00 | 3.90 | -1.90 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.04 | 21.10 | -15.06 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GVI | BUFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.45 | 2.75 | -1.30 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 | 0.96 | -0.71 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.76 | 1.08 | -0.31 |
Drawdowns
GVI vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GVI drawdown since its inception was -12.93%, smaller than the maximum BUFR drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GVI and BUFR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GVI | BUFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -12.93% | -13.73% | +0.80% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.79% | -4.61% | +2.82% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.65% | -12.81% | +10.16% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -12.93% | -13.73% | +0.80% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -12.93% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.08% | -0.01% | -1.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.86% | -2.09% | +0.23% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.59% | 0.85% | -0.26% |
Volatility
GVI vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Intermediate Government/Credit Bond ETF (GVI) is 0.78%, while FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) has a volatility of 1.02%. This indicates that GVI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GVI | BUFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.78% | 1.02% | -0.24% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.78% | 4.95% | -3.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.50% | 6.52% | -4.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.97% | 10.44% | -6.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.53% | 10.22% | -6.69% |
GVI vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison
GVI has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
GVI vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison
GVI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.62%, 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% |
GVI iShares Intermediate Government/Credit Bond ETF | 3.62% | 3.48% | 3.40% | 2.75% | 1.86% | 1.46% | 1.84% | 2.29% | 2.16% | 1.91% | 1.77% | 1.75% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GVI and BUFR have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BUFR has higher volatility (1.02%) compared to GVI (0.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GVI dropped -12.93% vs BUFR's -13.73%.
On 5-year performance, BUFR leads with 10.02% vs 1.00% for GVI. On fees, GVI is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, GVI has been the lower-risk option at 0.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 10.02% return vs 1.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GVI is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.
GVI has the higher dividend yield at 3.62%, compared with 0.00% for BUFR.
GVI is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while BUFR is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for GVI and 0.95% for BUFR.
BUFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 1.45), 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.
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