LQAI vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

LQAI (LG QRAFT AI-Powered U.S. Large Cap Core ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LQAI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by QRAFT, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LQAI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

LQAI vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in LG QRAFT AI-Powered U.S. Large Cap Core ETF (LQAI) 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, LQAI achieves a 19.67% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.84% return.

LQAI

• 1D: -2.97%
• 1M: 2.10%
• YTD: 19.67%
• 6M: 18.21%
• 1Y: 37.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

LQAI vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
LQAI LG QRAFT AI-Powered U.S. Large Cap Core ETF	19.67%	13.48%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	3.84%	5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between LQAI 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

Return for Risk

LQAI vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LQAI

LQAI Risk / Return Rank: 71
LQAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
LQAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
LQAI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
LQAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
LQAI Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

LQAI vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for LG QRAFT AI-Powered U.S. Large Cap Core ETF (LQAI) 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.

	LQAI	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.78	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.64	—	—

Drawdowns

LQAI vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LQAI drawdown since its inception was -21.24%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LQAI and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LQAI	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.24%	-2.87%	-18.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.97%	-0.59%	-2.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.04%	-0.24%	-2.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.54%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	LQAI	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.59%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.43%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.09%	4.05%	+13.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	4.05%	+13.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.51%	4.05%	+13.46%

LQAI vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LQAI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

LQAI vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

LQAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
LQAI LG QRAFT AI-Powered U.S. Large Cap Core ETF	0.91%	1.14%	0.69%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LQAI and BUFX in my portfolio?

LQAI 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.

Which ETF is better, LQAI or BUFX?

On fees, LQAI is cheaper at 0.75% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, LQAI or BUFX?

LQAI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

LQAI has the higher dividend yield at 0.91%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between LQAI and BUFX?

LQAI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: QRAFT and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for LQAI and 0.96% for BUFX.