LGH vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

LGH (HCM Defender 500 Index ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LGH is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the HCM Defender 500 Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LGH charges 1.23%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

LGH vs. BUFX - 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 Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LGH achieves a 0.69% return, which is significantly lower than BUFX's 3.84% return.

LGH

• 1D: -1.93%
• 1M: -2.29%
• YTD: 0.69%
• 6M: -0.68%
• 1Y: 20.00%
• 3Y*: 18.38%
• 5Y*: 10.02%
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 3.84%
• 6M: 3.89%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LGH vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
LGH HCM Defender 500 Index ETF	0.69%	17.26%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	3.84%	5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between LGH and BUFX is 0.88, 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	0.88

Return for Risk

LGH vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LGH

LGH Risk / Return Rank: 36
LGH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
LGH Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
LGH Omega Ratio Rank: 35
LGH Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
LGH Martin Ratio Rank: 38

BUFX

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. BUFX - 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 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.

	LGH	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.22	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.66	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.78	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.58	—	—

Drawdowns

LGH vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LGH drawdown since its inception was -29.60%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LGH and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LGH	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.60%	-2.87%	-26.73%
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	-4.83%	-0.59%	-4.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.37%	-0.24%	-9.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.59%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	LGH	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.89%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.37%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.45%	4.05%	+12.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.73%	4.05%	+12.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.86%	4.05%	+15.81%

LGH vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LGH has a 1.23% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

LGH vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

LGH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LGH and BUFX in my portfolio?

LGH and BUFX have a correlation of 0.88, 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 BUFX?

On fees, BUFX is cheaper at 0.96% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, LGH or BUFX?

BUFX is cheaper with a 0.96% expense ratio, compared with 1.23% for LGH.

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

LGH has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between LGH and BUFX?

LGH is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Howard Capital Management and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.23% for LGH and 0.96% for BUFX.