LGH vs. BUFH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LGH (HCM Defender 500 Index ETF) and BUFH (FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LGH is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the HCM Defender 500 Index, while BUFH is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LGH charges 1.23%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFH.

Performance

LGH vs. BUFH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in HCM Defender 500 Index ETF (LGH) and FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LGH achieves a 4.82% return, which is significantly higher than BUFH's 2.45% return.

LGH

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 7.14%
• YTD: 4.82%
• 6M: 4.52%
• 1Y: 26.30%
• 3Y*: 20.78%
• 5Y*: 11.27%
• 10Y*: —

BUFH

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.75%
• YTD: 2.45%
• 6M: 2.82%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LGH vs. BUFH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
LGH HCM Defender 500 Index ETF	4.82%	17.16%
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	2.45%	3.89%

Correlation

The correlation between LGH and BUFH is 0.73, 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	0.73

Return for Risk

LGH vs. BUFH — Risk / Return Rank

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

LGH

LGH Risk / Return Rank: 47
LGH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
LGH Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
LGH Omega Ratio Rank: 48
LGH Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
LGH Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

LGH vs. BUFH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for HCM Defender 500 Index ETF (LGH) and FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH). 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.

	LGH	BUFH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.55	—	—
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

	LGH	BUFH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	2.91	-2.11

Drawdowns

LGH vs. BUFH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LGH drawdown since its inception was -29.60%, which is greater than BUFH's maximum drawdown of -1.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LGH and BUFH.

Drawdown Indicators

	LGH	BUFH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.60%	-1.53%	-28.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.42%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.92%	-0.05%	-0.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.42%	-0.18%	-9.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	LGH	BUFH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.07%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.86%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.41%	2.37%	+13.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.52%	2.37%	+14.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.78%	2.37%	+17.41%

LGH vs. BUFH - Expense Ratio Comparison

LGH has a 1.23% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFH's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

LGH vs. BUFH - Dividend Comparison

LGH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, while BUFH has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
LGH HCM Defender 500 Index ETF	0.37%	0.38%	0.40%	0.63%	0.61%	0.14%	0.23%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LGH and BUFH in my portfolio?

LGH and BUFH have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, LGH or BUFH?

On fees, BUFH is cheaper at 0.95% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, LGH or BUFH?

BUFH is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.23% for LGH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LGH or BUFH?

LGH has the higher dividend yield at 0.37%, compared with 0.00% for BUFH.

What is the main difference between LGH and BUFH?

LGH is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFH is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Howard Capital Management and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.23% for LGH and 0.95% for BUFH.