HCMT vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HCMT (Direxion HCM Tactical Enhanced U.S. Equity Strategy ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HCMT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Direxion, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HCMT charges 1.17%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

HCMT vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion HCM Tactical Enhanced U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (HCMT) 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, HCMT achieves a 11.17% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.10% return.

HCMT

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 14.82%
• YTD: 11.17%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 43.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 1.35%
• YTD: 4.10%
• 6M: 4.88%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HCMT vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HCMT Direxion HCM Tactical Enhanced U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	11.17%	22.85%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.10%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between HCMT and BUFX is 0.80, 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	0.80

Return for Risk

HCMT vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HCMT

HCMT Risk / Return Rank: 49
HCMT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
HCMT Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
HCMT Omega Ratio Rank: 48
HCMT Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
HCMT Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

HCMT vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion HCM Tactical Enhanced U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (HCMT) 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.

	HCMT	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.19	—	—
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

	HCMT	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	2.68	-1.94

Drawdowns

HCMT vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HCMT drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCMT and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HCMT	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-2.87%	-33.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.27%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.89%	-0.07%	-0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.24%	-0.24%	-8.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.01%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	HCMT	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.80%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.58%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.21%	3.98%	+20.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.48%	3.98%	+24.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.48%	3.98%	+24.50%

HCMT vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HCMT has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

HCMT vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

HCMT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HCMT Direxion HCM Tactical Enhanced U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	0.38%	0.43%	2.75%	0.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HCMT and BUFX in my portfolio?

HCMT and BUFX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HCMT or BUFX?

On fees, BUFX is cheaper at 0.96% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HCMT or BUFX?

BUFX is cheaper with a 0.96% expense ratio, compared with 1.17% for HCMT.

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

HCMT has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between HCMT and BUFX?

HCMT is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.17% for HCMT and 0.96% for BUFX.