NPFE vs. BUFX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

NPFE (NPF Core Equity ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NPFE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by NPF Investment Advisors, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NPFE charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

NPFE vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NPF Core Equity ETF (NPFE) and FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

NPFE

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 2.51%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.88%
• 6M: 4.29%
• YTD: 4.78%
• 1Y: 9.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NPFE vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
NPFE NPF Core Equity ETF	10.08%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.63%

Correlation

The correlation between NPFE and BUFX is 0.82, 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 Mar 11, 2026	0.82

Return for Risk

NPFE vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NPFE

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

BUFX

BUFX Risk / Return Rank: 90
BUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
BUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
BUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
BUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

NPFE vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NPF Core Equity ETF (NPFE) 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.

	NPFE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.40	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.77	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.53	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.36	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	19.76	—

Drawdowns

NPFE vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NPFE drawdown since its inception was -5.44%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NPFE and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NPFE	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.44%	-2.87%	-2.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	0.00%	-1.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.02%	-0.24%	-0.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.49%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NPFE	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.07%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	3.40%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.89%	4.02%	+10.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.89%	3.98%	+10.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.89%	3.98%	+10.91%

NPFE vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NPFE has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

NPFE vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

Neither NPFE nor BUFX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NPFE and BUFX in my portfolio?

NPFE and BUFX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NPFE or BUFX?

On fees, NPFE is cheaper at 0.40% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NPFE or BUFX?

NPFE is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

NPFE and BUFX have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between NPFE and BUFX?

NPFE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: NPF Investment Advisors and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for NPFE and 0.96% for BUFX.