QLTY vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QLTY (GMO U.S. Quality ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QLTY is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QLTY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

QLTY vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GMO U.S. Quality ETF (QLTY) 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, QLTY achieves a 7.91% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.14% return.

QLTY

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 3.91%
• YTD: 7.91%
• 6M: 8.88%
• 1Y: 28.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 4.14%
• 6M: 4.86%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QLTY vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QLTY GMO U.S. Quality ETF	7.91%	14.96%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.14%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between QLTY and BUFX is 0.81, 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	0.81

Return for Risk

QLTY vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLTY

QLTY Risk / Return Rank: 64
QLTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
QLTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
QLTY Omega Ratio Rank: 69
QLTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
QLTY Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

QLTY vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GMO U.S. Quality ETF (QLTY) 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.

	QLTY	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.13	—	—
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

	QLTY	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.55	2.70	-1.16

Drawdowns

QLTY vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLTY drawdown since its inception was -17.00%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLTY and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLTY	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.00%	-2.87%	-14.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.02%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.05%	-0.24%	-1.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QLTY	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.24%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.25%	3.99%	+8.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.65%	3.99%	+10.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.65%	3.99%	+10.66%

QLTY vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLTY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLTY vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

QLTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.71%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QLTY GMO U.S. Quality ETF	0.71%	0.73%	0.79%	0.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLTY and BUFX in my portfolio?

QLTY and BUFX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QLTY or BUFX?

On fees, QLTY is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLTY or BUFX?

QLTY is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

QLTY has the higher dividend yield at 0.71%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between QLTY and BUFX?

QLTY is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: GMO and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for QLTY and 0.96% for BUFX.