SCHB vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

SCHB (Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHB is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Over the past year, SCHB returned 22.90% vs 9.64% for BUFX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHB charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

SCHB vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB) 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, SCHB achieves a 8.93% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.81% return.

SCHB

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -1.50%
• YTD: 8.93%
• 6M: 7.50%
• 1Y: 22.90%
• 3Y*: 20.79%
• 5Y*: 11.90%
• 10Y*: 15.36%

BUFX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 3.81%
• 6M: 3.64%
• 1Y: 9.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHB vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SCHB Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF	8.93%	12.72%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	3.81%	5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHB and BUFX is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.90

The correlation between SCHB and BUFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCHB vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHB

SCHB Risk / Return Rank: 64
SCHB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SCHB Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SCHB Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SCHB Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SCHB Martin Ratio Rank: 71

BUFX

BUFX Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
BUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
BUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUFX 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.

SCHB vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB) 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.

	SCHB	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.40	-0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	3.79	-1.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.53	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	3.38	-0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.35	19.91	-8.56

SCHB vs. BUFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHB Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the BUFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHB and BUFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SCHB vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHB drawdown since its inception was -35.27%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHB and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHB	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.27%	-2.87%	-32.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-2.87%	-6.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.34%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.41%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.27%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.81%	-0.61%	-2.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-0.25%	-3.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.02%	0.49%	+1.53%

Volatility

SCHB vs. BUFX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB) has a higher volatility of 4.92% compared to FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) at 1.22%. This indicates that SCHB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHB	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.92%	1.22%	+3.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.04%	3.39%	+6.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.76%	4.03%	+8.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.35%	4.03%	+13.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.33%	4.03%	+14.30%

SCHB vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHB has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHB vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

SCHB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, 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%
SCHB Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF	1.06%	1.11%	1.24%	1.40%	1.61%	1.21%	1.63%	1.80%	2.00%	1.65%	1.86%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHB and BUFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, SCHB and BUFX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SCHB or BUFX?

SCHB has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to BUFX (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHB dropped -35.27% vs BUFX's -2.87%.

Which ETF is better, SCHB or BUFX?

On 1-year performance, SCHB leads with 22.90% vs 9.64% for BUFX. On fees, SCHB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BUFX has been the lower-risk option at 1.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHB or BUFX?

Over the 1-year period, SCHB has performed better with a 22.90% return vs 9.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHB or BUFX?

SCHB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

SCHB has the higher dividend yield at 1.06%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between SCHB and BUFX?

SCHB is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for SCHB and 0.96% for BUFX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.80), 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.