PFDE vs. BUFX

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

PFDE (Pathfinder Disciplined U.S. Equity ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFDE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Pathfinder, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PFDE charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

PFDE vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pathfinder Disciplined U.S. Equity ETF (PFDE) 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, PFDE achieves a 15.57% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 5.72% return.

PFDE

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 3.28%
• 6M: 15.45%
• YTD: 15.57%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

BUFX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 1.06%
• 6M: 5.37%
• YTD: 5.72%
• 1Y: 10.07%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.26%

*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)
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	$120.23K	$111.05K	$121.73K
PFDE Pathfinder Disciplined U.S. Equity ETF	$399.70K	$953.85K	$817.97K

PFDE vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PFDE Pathfinder Disciplined U.S. Equity ETF	15.57%	-0.91%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	5.72%	-0.14%

Correlation

The correlation between PFDE and BUFX is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2025	0.91

Return for Risk

PFDE vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFDE

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

BUFX

BUFX Risk / Return Rank: 92
BUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
BUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
BUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
BUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
BUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

PFDE vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pathfinder Disciplined U.S. Equity ETF (PFDE) 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.

	PFDE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.50	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.90	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.55	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.53	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	20.62	—

Drawdowns

PFDE vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFDE drawdown since its inception was -10.37%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFDE and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFDE	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.37%	-2.87%	-7.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.04%	-0.24%	-1.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.49%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PFDE	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.02%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	3.46%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.81%	4.05%	+12.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.81%	3.96%	+12.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.81%	3.96%	+12.85%

PFDE vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFDE has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFDE vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

PFDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%
PFDE Pathfinder Disciplined U.S. Equity ETF	0.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFDE and BUFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, PFDE and BUFX 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 ETF is better, PFDE or BUFX?

On fees, PFDE is cheaper at 0.59% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFDE or BUFX?

PFDE is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

PFDE has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between PFDE and BUFX?

PFDE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Pathfinder and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for PFDE and 0.96% for BUFX.