RDVI vs. BUFD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RDVI (FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RDVI is a Derivative Income fund tracking the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers, while BUFD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. RDVI is passively managed, while BUFD is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, RDVI returned 18.62%/yr vs 12.09%/yr for BUFD. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RDVI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFD.

Performance

RDVI vs. BUFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RDVI achieves a 9.43% return, which is significantly higher than BUFD's 5.08% return.

RDVI

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 2.77%
• YTD: 9.43%
• 6M: 10.61%
• 1Y: 24.98%
• 3Y*: 18.62%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFD

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 5.08%
• 6M: 5.68%
• 1Y: 14.40%
• 3Y*: 12.09%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: —

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

RDVI vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
RDVI FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	9.43%	17.93%	14.56%	18.63%	9.91%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	5.08%	10.66%	12.42%	15.40%	1.86%

Correlation

The correlation between RDVI and BUFD is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2022	0.71

The correlation between RDVI and BUFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

RDVI vs. BUFD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RDVI	BUFD
Financial Services	36.5%	11.9%
Technology	17.6%	36.2%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	10.1%
Industrials	12.2%	8.1%
Healthcare	8.1%	8.4%
Communication Services	5.4%	10.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	4.9%
Energy	1.4%	3.5%
Utilities	1.4%	2.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

RDVI vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDVI

RDVI Risk / Return Rank: 58
RDVI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
RDVI Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
RDVI Omega Ratio Rank: 54
RDVI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
RDVI Martin Ratio Rank: 67

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFD Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

RDVI vs. BUFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). 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.

	RDVI	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	2.79	-0.90
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	4.32	-1.57
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.58	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	4.21	-1.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.48	22.97	-10.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RDVI vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDVI Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is lower than the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDVI and BUFD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RDVI	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	2.79	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.19	1.00	+0.18

Drawdowns

RDVI vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDVI drawdown since its inception was -18.35%, which is greater than BUFD's maximum drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDVI and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDVI	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.35%	-10.75%	-7.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.48%	-3.43%	-5.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.35%	-10.15%	-8.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.43%	-0.15%	-0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.17%	-1.97%	-1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	0.63%	+1.38%

Volatility

RDVI vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI) has a higher volatility of 3.66% compared to FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) at 0.79%. This indicates that RDVI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RDVI	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.66%	0.79%	+2.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.50%	3.94%	+6.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.27%	5.19%	+8.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	7.73%	+9.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.91%	7.55%	+9.36%

RDVI vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

RDVI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

RDVI vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

RDVI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.94%, while BUFD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RDVI FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	7.94%	8.10%	8.62%	8.45%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RDVI and BUFD in my portfolio?

RDVI and BUFD have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RDVI or BUFD?

RDVI has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to BUFD (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDVI dropped -18.35% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, RDVI or BUFD?

On 3-year performance, RDVI leads with 18.62% vs 12.09% for BUFD. On fees, RDVI is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, BUFD has been the lower-risk option at 0.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RDVI or BUFD?

Over the 3-year period, RDVI has performed better with a 18.62% return vs 12.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RDVI or BUFD?

RDVI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RDVI or BUFD?

RDVI has the higher dividend yield at 7.94%, compared with 0.00% for BUFD.

What is the main difference between RDVI and BUFD?

RDVI is categorized as Derivative Income, while BUFD is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for RDVI and 0.95% for BUFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 1.89), 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.