IUS vs. BUFX
IUS (Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Invesco Strategic US Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Over the past year, IUS returned 29.78% vs 9.40% for BUFX. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IUS charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.
Performance
IUS vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IUS achieves a 14.47% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.77% return.
IUS
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 0.21%
- YTD
- 14.47%
- 6M
- 13.60%
- 1Y
- 29.78%
- 3Y*
- 19.92%
- 5Y*
- 13.63%
- 10Y*
- —
BUFX
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- 0.02%
- YTD
- 3.77%
- 6M
- 3.59%
- 1Y
- 9.40%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IUS vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF | 14.47% | 13.38% |
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 3.77% | 5.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between IUS and BUFX is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025 | 0.80 |
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Return for Risk
IUS vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank
IUS
BUFX
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
IUS vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) 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.
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.
| IUS | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.51 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.87 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 20.20 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
IUS vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IUS drawdown since its inception was -34.67%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUS and BUFX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IUS | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.67% | -2.87% | -31.80% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.15% | -2.87% | -3.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.61% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.72% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.73% | -0.65% | -1.08% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.85% | -0.25% | -3.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.48% | — | — |
Volatility
IUS vs. BUFX - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| IUS | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.77% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.03% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.69% | 4.04% | +6.65% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.03% | 4.04% | +10.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.02% | 4.04% | +13.98% |
IUS vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
IUS has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.
Dividends
IUS vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison
IUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF | 1.30% | 1.48% | 1.52% | 1.72% | 1.78% | 1.46% | 1.74% | 1.77% | 0.73% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IUS 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.
On 1-year performance, IUS leads with 29.78% vs 9.40% for BUFX. On fees, IUS is cheaper at 0.19% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, IUS has performed better with a 29.78% return vs 9.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IUS is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.
IUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.30%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.
IUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for IUS and 0.96% for BUFX.
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