USCL vs. BUFH

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

USCL (iShares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF) and BUFH (FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USCL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended Climate Action Index, while BUFH is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Over the past year, USCL returned 15.24% vs 6.08% for BUFH. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USCL charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFH.

Performance

USCL vs. BUFH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF (USCL) 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, USCL achieves a 7.03% return, which is significantly higher than BUFH's 2.92% return.

USCL

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: 1.06%
• 6M: 6.65%
• YTD: 7.03%
• 1Y: 15.24%
• 3Y*: 18.26%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFH

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.35%
• 6M: 2.75%
• YTD: 2.92%
• 1Y: 6.08%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

USCL vs. BUFH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
USCL iShares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF	7.03%	10.17%
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	2.92%	3.81%

Correlation

The correlation between USCL and BUFH 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.76

The correlation between USCL and BUFH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

USCL vs. BUFH — Risk / Return Rank

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

USCL

USCL Risk / Return Rank: 39
USCL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
USCL Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
USCL Omega Ratio Rank: 39
USCL Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
USCL Martin Ratio Rank: 43

BUFH

BUFH Risk / Return Rank: 92
BUFH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
BUFH Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
BUFH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
BUFH Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
BUFH Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

USCL vs. BUFH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF (USCL) 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.

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.

	USCL	BUFH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	2.58	-1.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	4.04	-2.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.57	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.50	3.98	-2.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.58	18.72	-13.14

USCL vs. BUFH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USCL Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the BUFH Sharpe Ratio of 2.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USCL and BUFH, 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

USCL vs. BUFH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USCL drawdown since its inception was -19.00%, which is greater than BUFH's maximum drawdown of -1.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USCL and BUFH.

Drawdown Indicators

	USCL	BUFH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.00%	-1.53%	-17.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.24%	-1.53%	-8.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-0.05%	-0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.27%	-0.17%	-2.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	0.33%	+2.41%

Volatility

USCL vs. BUFH - Volatility Comparison

iShares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF (USCL) has a higher volatility of 3.41% compared to FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH) at 0.49%. This indicates that USCL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USCL	BUFH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.41%	0.49%	+2.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.00%	1.90%	+8.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.70%	2.37%	+10.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.85%	2.33%	+12.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.85%	2.33%	+12.52%

USCL vs. BUFH - Expense Ratio Comparison

USCL has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFH's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

USCL vs. BUFH - Dividend Comparison

USCL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, 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%
USCL iShares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF	1.09%	1.10%	1.18%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USCL and BUFH in my portfolio?

USCL and BUFH 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 is riskier, USCL or BUFH?

USCL has higher volatility (3.41%) compared to BUFH (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USCL dropped -19.00% vs BUFH's -1.53%.

Which ETF is better, USCL or BUFH?

On 1-year performance, USCL leads with 15.24% vs 6.08% for BUFH. On fees, USCL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, BUFH has been the lower-risk option at 0.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USCL or BUFH?

Over the 1-year period, USCL has performed better with a 15.24% return vs 6.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USCL or BUFH?

USCL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFH.

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

USCL has the higher dividend yield at 1.09%, compared with 0.00% for BUFH.

What is the main difference between USCL and BUFH?

USCL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFH is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for USCL and 0.95% for BUFH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 1.21), 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.