PHEQ vs. BUFD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PHEQ (Parametric Hedged Equity ETF) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PHEQ is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Parametric, while BUFD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PHEQ returned 16.93% vs 14.85% for BUFD. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PHEQ charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFD.

Performance

PHEQ vs. BUFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Parametric Hedged Equity ETF (PHEQ) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PHEQ achieves a 5.85% return, which is significantly higher than BUFD's 5.17% return.

PHEQ

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.58%
• YTD: 5.85%
• 6M: 6.48%
• 1Y: 16.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFD

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 1.78%
• YTD: 5.17%
• 6M: 5.92%
• 1Y: 14.85%
• 3Y*: 12.12%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: —

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

PHEQ vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PHEQ Parametric Hedged Equity ETF	5.85%	11.76%	14.94%	7.19%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	5.17%	10.66%	12.42%	6.82%

Correlation

The correlation between PHEQ and BUFD is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2023	0.76

The correlation between PHEQ and BUFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

PHEQ vs. BUFD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PHEQ	BUFD
Technology	35.4%	36.2%
Communication Services	11.8%	10.9%
Financial Services	11.3%	11.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.6%	8.4%
Industrials	8.3%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	4.9%
Energy	3.7%	3.5%
Utilities	2.4%	2.3%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.8%
Real Estate	1.6%	1.9%

Return for Risk

PHEQ vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

PHEQ

PHEQ Risk / Return Rank: 85
PHEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
PHEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
PHEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 87
PHEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
PHEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 86

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 89
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BUFD 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.

PHEQ vs. BUFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Parametric Hedged Equity ETF (PHEQ) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). 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.

	PHEQ	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.76	2.87	-0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.14	4.44	-0.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.60	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.09	4.46	-0.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.73	24.34	-5.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PHEQ vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PHEQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.76, which is comparable to the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PHEQ and BUFD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PHEQ	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.76	2.87	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.00	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.81	1.00	+0.81

Drawdowns

PHEQ vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PHEQ drawdown since its inception was -12.55%, which is greater than BUFD's maximum drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHEQ and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	PHEQ	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.55%	-10.75%	-1.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.26%	-3.43%	-0.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.15%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.07%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.97%	-1.97%	+1.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	0.63%	+0.30%

Volatility

PHEQ vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

Parametric Hedged Equity ETF (PHEQ) has a higher volatility of 1.06% compared to FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) at 0.78%. This indicates that PHEQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PHEQ	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.06%	0.78%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.56%	3.94%	+0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.16%	5.20%	+0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.62%	7.73%	+0.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.62%	7.55%	+1.07%

PHEQ vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

PHEQ has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

PHEQ vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

PHEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, while BUFD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PHEQ Parametric Hedged Equity ETF	1.02%	1.19%	1.39%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PHEQ and BUFD in my portfolio?

PHEQ and BUFD have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PHEQ or BUFD?

PHEQ has higher volatility (1.06%) compared to BUFD (0.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHEQ dropped -12.55% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, PHEQ or BUFD?

On 1-year performance, PHEQ leads with 16.93% vs 14.85% for BUFD. On fees, PHEQ is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, BUFD has been the lower-risk option at 0.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PHEQ or BUFD?

Over the 1-year period, PHEQ has performed better with a 16.93% return vs 14.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PHEQ or BUFD?

PHEQ is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PHEQ or BUFD?

PHEQ has the higher dividend yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.00% for BUFD.

What is the main difference between PHEQ and BUFD?

PHEQ is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFD is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Parametric and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for PHEQ and 0.95% for BUFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.76), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.