HYTI vs. BUFD

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

HYTI (FT Vest High Yield & Target Income ETF) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HYTI is a Derivative Income 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, HYTI returned 6.41% vs 13.38% for BUFD. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HYTI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFD.

Performance

HYTI vs. BUFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest High Yield & Target Income ETF (HYTI) 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, HYTI achieves a 1.24% return, which is significantly lower than BUFD's 4.43% return.

HYTI

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: -0.42%
• YTD: 1.24%
• 6M: 1.77%
• 1Y: 6.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFD

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 4.43%
• 6M: 4.83%
• 1Y: 13.38%
• 3Y*: 11.82%
• 5Y*: 7.48%
• 10Y*: —

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

HYTI vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HYTI FT Vest High Yield & Target Income ETF	1.24%	7.01%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	4.43%	8.32%

Correlation

The correlation between HYTI and BUFD is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 14, 2025	0.54

The correlation between HYTI and BUFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HYTI vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYTI

HYTI Risk / Return Rank: 57
HYTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
HYTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
HYTI Omega Ratio Rank: 55
HYTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
HYTI Martin Ratio Rank: 66

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 88
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 90
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
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.

HYTI vs. BUFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest High Yield & Target Income ETF (HYTI) 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.

	HYTI	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	2.69	-1.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	4.11	-1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.56	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	4.11	-1.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.33	22.33	-11.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HYTI vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYTI Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is lower than the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYTI 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

	HYTI	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	2.69	-1.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.97	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.21	0.98	+0.23

Drawdowns

HYTI vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYTI drawdown since its inception was -4.47%, smaller than the maximum BUFD drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYTI and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYTI	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.47%	-10.75%	+6.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.38%	-3.43%	+1.05%
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	-0.65%	-0.77%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.46%	-1.97%	+1.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.56%	0.63%	-0.07%

Volatility

HYTI vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest High Yield & Target Income ETF (HYTI) has a higher volatility of 1.27% compared to FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) at 1.08%. This indicates that HYTI'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

	HYTI	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.27%	1.08%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.09%	4.03%	-0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.87%	5.25%	-1.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.23%	7.73%	-2.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.23%	7.55%	-2.32%

HYTI vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYTI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYTI vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

HYTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.46%, while BUFD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%
HYTI FT Vest High Yield & Target Income ETF	10.46%	8.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYTI and BUFD in my portfolio?

HYTI and BUFD have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HYTI or BUFD?

HYTI has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to BUFD (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYTI dropped -4.47% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, HYTI or BUFD?

On 1-year performance, BUFD leads with 13.38% vs 6.41% for HYTI. On fees, HYTI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, BUFD has been the lower-risk option at 1.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HYTI or BUFD?

Over the 1-year period, BUFD has performed better with a 13.38% return vs 6.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYTI or BUFD?

HYTI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFD.

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

HYTI has the higher dividend yield at 10.46%, compared with 0.00% for BUFD.

What is the main difference between HYTI and BUFD?

HYTI is categorized as Derivative Income, while BUFD is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for HYTI and 0.95% for BUFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 1.65), 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.