PSFF vs. BUFR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PSFF (Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSFF returned 9.45%/yr vs 9.88%/yr for BUFR. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PSFF charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.

Performance

PSFF vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF (PSFF) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSFF achieves a 7.27% return, which is significantly lower than BUFR's 8.06% return.

PSFF

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 1.26%
• 6M: 6.41%
• YTD: 7.27%
• 1Y: 13.22%
• 3Y*: 12.40%
• 5Y*: 9.45%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.04%

BUFR

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 1.29%
• 6M: 6.78%
• YTD: 8.06%
• 1Y: 15.62%
• 3Y*: 13.68%
• 5Y*: 9.88%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.71%

*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)
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	$42.54M	$43.16M	$46.31M
PSFF Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF	$1.37M	$1.73M	$1.90M

PSFF vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PSFF Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF	7.27%	10.38%	13.18%	18.39%	-4.11%	11.81%	0.39%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	8.06%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-7.57%	11.88%	0.34%

Correlation

The correlation between PSFF and BUFR is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2020	0.85

The correlation between PSFF and BUFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSFF vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSFF

PSFF Risk / Return Rank: 90
PSFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PSFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PSFF Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PSFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
PSFF Martin Ratio Rank: 93

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 91
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 92
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

PSFF vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF (PSFF) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). 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.

	PSFF	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	2.33	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	3.37	+0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.46	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.62	3.41	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.76	17.79	-0.02

PSFF vs. BUFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSFF Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the BUFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSFF and BUFR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PSFF vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSFF drawdown since its inception was -10.78%, smaller than the maximum BUFR drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSFF and BUFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSFF	BUFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-13.73%	+2.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.67%	-4.61%	+0.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.78%	-12.81%	+2.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.78%	-13.73%	+2.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.56%	-2.05%	+0.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	0.88%	-0.13%

Volatility

PSFF vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF (PSFF) is 1.72%, while FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) has a volatility of 2.01%. This indicates that PSFF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSFF	BUFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.72%	2.01%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.86%	5.44%	-0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.00%	6.75%	-0.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.25%	10.49%	-1.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.03%	10.16%	-1.13%

PSFF vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSFF has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSFF vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison

Neither PSFF nor BUFR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSFF and BUFR in my portfolio?

PSFF and BUFR have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSFF or BUFR?

BUFR has higher volatility (2.01%) compared to PSFF (1.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSFF dropped -10.78% vs BUFR's -13.73%.

Which ETF is better, PSFF or BUFR?

On 5-year performance, BUFR leads with 9.88% vs 9.45% for PSFF. On fees, PSFF is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, PSFF has been the lower-risk option at 1.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSFF or BUFR?

Over the 5-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 9.88% return vs 9.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSFF or BUFR?

PSFF is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSFF or BUFR?

PSFF and BUFR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PSFF and BUFR?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for PSFF and 0.95% for BUFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.22), 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.