RSST vs. BUFH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RSST (Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF) and BUFH (FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RSST is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Return Stacked, while BUFH is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RSST charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFH.

Performance

RSST vs. BUFH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF (RSST) and FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSST achieves a 21.45% return, which is significantly higher than BUFH's 2.45% return.

RSST

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: 7.80%
• YTD: 21.45%
• 6M: 23.86%
• 1Y: 56.70%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFH

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.75%
• YTD: 2.45%
• 6M: 2.82%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

RSST vs. BUFH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RSST Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF	21.45%	27.03%
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	2.45%	3.89%

Correlation

The correlation between RSST and BUFH is 0.65, 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	0.65

Return for Risk

RSST vs. BUFH — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSST

RSST Risk / Return Rank: 76
RSST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
RSST Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
RSST Omega Ratio Rank: 69
RSST Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
RSST 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.

RSST vs. BUFH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF (RSST) and FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH). 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.

	RSST	BUFH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.87	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.18	—	—
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

	RSST	BUFH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.57	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	2.91	-1.96

Drawdowns

RSST vs. BUFH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSST drawdown since its inception was -30.80%, which is greater than BUFH's maximum drawdown of -1.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSST and BUFH.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSST	BUFH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.80%	-1.53%	-29.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.95%	-0.05%	-0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.03%	-0.18%	-5.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RSST	BUFH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.34%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.14%	2.37%	+19.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.16%	2.37%	+21.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.16%	2.37%	+21.79%

RSST vs. BUFH - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSST has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFH's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSST vs. BUFH - Dividend Comparison

RSST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, while BUFH has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RSST Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF	0.92%	1.12%	0.09%	0.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSST and BUFH in my portfolio?

RSST and BUFH have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, RSST or BUFH?

On fees, BUFH is cheaper at 0.95% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSST or BUFH?

BUFH is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for RSST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RSST or BUFH?

RSST has the higher dividend yield at 0.92%, compared with 0.00% for BUFH.

What is the main difference between RSST and BUFH?

RSST is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFH is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Return Stacked and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for RSST and 0.95% for BUFH.