QUAL vs. BUFX
QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Over the past year, QUAL returned 19.82% vs 9.40% for BUFX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QUAL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.
Performance
QUAL vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QUAL achieves a 7.76% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.77% return.
QUAL
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- -0.38%
- YTD
- 7.76%
- 6M
- 6.49%
- 1Y
- 19.82%
- 3Y*
- 18.56%
- 5Y*
- 11.33%
- 10Y*
- 14.48%
BUFX
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- 0.02%
- YTD
- 3.77%
- 6M
- 3.59%
- 1Y
- 9.40%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QUAL vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF | 7.76% | 11.20% |
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 3.77% | 5.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between QUAL and BUFX is 0.87, 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 25, 2025 | 0.87 |
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Return for Risk
QUAL vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank
QUAL
BUFX
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
QUAL vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) 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.
| QUAL | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.20 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.97 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
QUAL vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and BUFX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QUAL | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.06% | -2.87% | -31.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.03% | -2.87% | -6.16% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.00% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.23% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.06% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.74% | -0.65% | -2.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.09% | -0.25% | -3.84% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.99% | — | — |
Volatility
QUAL vs. BUFX - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| QUAL | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.02% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.62% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.10% | 4.04% | +8.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.38% | 4.04% | +13.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.10% | 4.04% | +14.06% |
QUAL vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
QUAL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.
Dividends
QUAL vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison
QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF | 0.88% | 0.94% | 1.02% | 1.23% | 1.59% | 1.20% | 1.39% | 1.60% | 2.00% | 1.76% | 1.96% | 1.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QUAL and BUFX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On 1-year performance, QUAL leads with 19.82% vs 9.40% for BUFX. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 19.82% return vs 9.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.
QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.
QUAL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUAL and 0.96% for BUFX.
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