QDTE vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QDTE (Roundhill Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDTE is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Roundhill, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QDTE charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

QDTE vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Roundhill Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (QDTE) 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, QDTE achieves a 16.58% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.10% return.

QDTE

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 8.99%
• YTD: 16.58%
• 6M: 16.20%
• 1Y: 40.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 1.35%
• YTD: 4.10%
• 6M: 4.88%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QDTE vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QDTE Roundhill Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	16.58%	16.41%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.10%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between QDTE and BUFX 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.83

Return for Risk

QDTE vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDTE

QDTE Risk / Return Rank: 78
QDTE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
QDTE Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
QDTE Omega Ratio Rank: 78
QDTE Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
QDTE Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

QDTE vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Roundhill Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (QDTE) 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.

	QDTE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.98	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.08	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QDTE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.30	2.68	-1.38

Drawdowns

QDTE vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDTE drawdown since its inception was -22.86%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDTE and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDTE	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.86%	-2.87%	-19.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.07%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.14%	-0.24%	-2.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QDTE	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.75%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.01%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.81%	3.98%	+10.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.43%	3.98%	+14.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.43%	3.98%	+14.45%

QDTE vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDTE has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDTE vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

QDTE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 42.16%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QDTE Roundhill Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	42.16%	49.49%	32.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDTE and BUFX in my portfolio?

QDTE and BUFX 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 ETF is better, QDTE or BUFX?

On fees, BUFX is cheaper at 0.96% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDTE or BUFX?

BUFX is cheaper with a 0.96% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for QDTE.

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

QDTE has the higher dividend yield at 42.16%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between QDTE and BUFX?

QDTE is categorized as Derivative Income, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Roundhill and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.97% for QDTE and 0.96% for BUFX.