RAFE vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RAFE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the RAFI ESG US Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RAFE charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

RAFE vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) 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, RAFE achieves a 13.86% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.14% return.

RAFE

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 6.78%
• YTD: 13.86%
• 6M: 15.30%
• 1Y: 33.02%
• 3Y*: 19.71%
• 5Y*: 10.92%
• 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)

RAFE vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	13.86%	13.39%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.14%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between RAFE and BUFX is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.74

Return for Risk

RAFE vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 85
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 84
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

RAFE vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) 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.

	RAFE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.93	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.06	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.42	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.30	—	—
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

	RAFE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.93	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	2.70	-2.05

Drawdowns

RAFE vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RAFE drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RAFE and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RAFE	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-2.87%	-32.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.46%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.22%	-0.24%	-5.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RAFE	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.01%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.27%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.33%	3.99%	+7.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.08%	3.99%	+11.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	3.99%	+15.45%

RAFE vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RAFE has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

RAFE vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

RAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.49%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RAFE and BUFX in my portfolio?

RAFE and BUFX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, RAFE or BUFX?

On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RAFE or BUFX?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between RAFE and BUFX?

RAFE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for RAFE and 0.96% for BUFX.