HELO vs. BUFD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

HELO (JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HELO is a Options Trading fund actively managed by JPMorgan, while BUFD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, HELO returned 8.94% vs 13.12% for BUFD. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HELO charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFD.

Performance

HELO vs. BUFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HELO) 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, HELO achieves a 1.30% return, which is significantly lower than BUFD's 4.55% return.

HELO

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: -0.78%
• YTD: 1.30%
• 6M: 0.62%
• 1Y: 8.94%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFD

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 4.55%
• 6M: 4.29%
• 1Y: 13.12%
• 3Y*: 11.59%
• 5Y*: 7.32%
• 10Y*: —

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

HELO vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HELO JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF	1.30%	7.82%	18.05%	5.25%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	4.55%	10.66%	12.42%	6.62%

Correlation

The correlation between HELO 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 Sep 29, 2023	0.85

The correlation between HELO and BUFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HELO vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

HELO

HELO Risk / Return Rank: 40
HELO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
HELO Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
HELO Omega Ratio Rank: 44
HELO Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
HELO Martin Ratio Rank: 43

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFD Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

HELO vs. BUFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HELO) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	HELO	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	2.51	-1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.98	3.81	-1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.51	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.56	3.84	-2.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.81	20.61	-13.80

HELO vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HELO Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HELO 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.

Drawdowns

HELO vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HELO drawdown since its inception was -10.89%, roughly equal to the maximum BUFD drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HELO and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	HELO	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.89%	-10.75%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.76%	-3.43%	-2.33%
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	-1.26%	-0.72%	-0.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.18%	-1.95%	+0.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.32%	0.64%	+0.68%

Volatility

HELO vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HELO) has a higher volatility of 1.85% compared to FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) at 1.67%. This indicates that HELO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HELO	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.85%	1.67%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.10%	4.18%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.40%	5.29%	+1.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.98%	7.75%	+0.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.98%	7.54%	+0.44%

HELO vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

HELO has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

HELO vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

HELO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, while BUFD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HELO JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF	0.63%	0.67%	0.60%	0.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HELO and BUFD in my portfolio?

HELO 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, HELO or BUFD?

HELO has higher volatility (1.85%) compared to BUFD (1.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HELO dropped -10.89% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, HELO or BUFD?

On 1-year performance, BUFD leads with 13.12% vs 8.94% for HELO. On fees, HELO is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, BUFD has been the lower-risk option at 1.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HELO or BUFD?

Over the 1-year period, BUFD has performed better with a 13.12% return vs 8.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HELO or BUFD?

HELO is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFD.

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

HELO has the higher dividend yield at 0.63%, compared with 0.00% for BUFD.

What is the main difference between HELO and BUFD?

HELO is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFD is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for HELO and 0.95% for BUFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.40), 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.