JULW vs. BUFR

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

JULW (AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Jul ETF) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JULW is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Allianz, while BUFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, JULW returned 9.02%/yr vs 9.76%/yr for BUFR. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. JULW charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.

Performance

JULW vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Jul ETF (JULW) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JULW achieves a 4.60% return, which is significantly lower than BUFR's 7.33% return.

JULW

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 0.47%
• 6M: 4.04%
• YTD: 4.60%
• 1Y: 9.65%
• 3Y*: 10.78%
• 5Y*: 9.02%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.91%

BUFR

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 0.60%
• 6M: 6.43%
• YTD: 7.33%
• 1Y: 14.83%
• 3Y*: 12.87%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.60%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	$38.72M	$41.24M	$45.38M
JULW AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Jul ETF	$987.83K	$2.34M	$2.75M

JULW vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
JULW AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Jul ETF	4.60%	11.57%	12.39%	16.06%	-1.09%	4.60%	3.86%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	7.33%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-7.57%	11.88%	6.60%

Correlation

The correlation between JULW and BUFR is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2020	0.88

The correlation between JULW and BUFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JULW vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

JULW

JULW Risk / Return Rank: 89
JULW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
JULW Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
JULW Omega Ratio Rank: 91
JULW Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
JULW Martin Ratio Rank: 93

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

JULW vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Jul ETF (JULW) 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.

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.

	JULW	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.04	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	2.94	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.40	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	3.00	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.06	15.68	+1.38

JULW vs. BUFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JULW Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the BUFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JULW and BUFR, 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

JULW vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JULW drawdown since its inception was -9.49%, smaller than the maximum BUFR drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JULW and BUFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	JULW	BUFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.49%	-13.73%	+4.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.96%	-4.61%	+1.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.49%	-12.81%	+3.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.49%	-13.73%	+4.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.11%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.90%	-2.05%	+1.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.54%	0.88%	-0.34%

Volatility

JULW vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Jul ETF (JULW) is 1.62%, while FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) has a volatility of 1.90%. This indicates that JULW 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.

Volatility by Period

	JULW	BUFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.62%	1.90%	-0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.44%	5.41%	-1.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.34%	6.78%	-2.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.90%	10.48%	-3.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.48%	10.16%	-3.68%

JULW vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

JULW has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

JULW vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison

Neither JULW nor BUFR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
JULW AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Jul ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JULW and BUFR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, JULW and BUFR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, JULW or BUFR?

BUFR has higher volatility (1.90%) compared to JULW (1.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JULW dropped -9.49% vs BUFR's -13.73%.

Which ETF is better, JULW or BUFR?

On 5-year performance, BUFR leads with 9.76% vs 9.02% for JULW. On fees, JULW is cheaper at 0.74% per year. On volatility, JULW has been the lower-risk option at 1.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JULW or BUFR?

Over the 5-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 9.76% return vs 9.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JULW or BUFR?

JULW is cheaper with a 0.74% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JULW or BUFR?

JULW and BUFR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between JULW and BUFR?

JULW is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFR is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Allianz and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for JULW and 0.95% for BUFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JULW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 2.04), 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.