RSST vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RSST (Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RSST is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Return Stacked, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RSST charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

RSST vs. BUFX - 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 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, RSST achieves a 21.45% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.10% return.

RSST

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

BUFX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 1.35%
• YTD: 4.10%
• 6M: 4.88%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

RSST vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RSST Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF	21.45%	27.03%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.10%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between RSST and BUFX is 0.77, 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	0.77

Return for Risk

RSST vs. BUFX — 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. BUFX - 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 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.

	RSST	BUFX	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	BUFX	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	2.68	-1.74

Drawdowns

RSST vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSST drawdown since its inception was -30.80%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSST and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSST	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.80%	-2.87%	-27.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.95%	-0.07%	-0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.03%	-0.24%	-5.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RSST	BUFX	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%	3.98%	+18.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.16%	3.98%	+20.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.16%	3.98%	+20.18%

RSST vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSST has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSST vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

RSST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, 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%
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 BUFX in my portfolio?

RSST and BUFX have a correlation of 0.77, 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 BUFX?

On fees, BUFX is cheaper at 0.96% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSST or BUFX?

BUFX is cheaper with a 0.96% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for RSST.

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

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

What is the main difference between RSST and BUFX?

RSST is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Return Stacked and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for RSST and 0.96% for BUFX.