USSE vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USSE (Segall Bryant & Hamill Select Equity ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USSE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Segall Bryant & Hamill, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. USSE charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

USSE vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Segall Bryant & Hamill Select Equity ETF (USSE) 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, USSE achieves a 20.42% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.10% return.

USSE

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 7.64%
• YTD: 20.42%
• 6M: 22.12%
• 1Y: 29.80%
• 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)

USSE vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
USSE Segall Bryant & Hamill Select Equity ETF	20.42%	6.73%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.10%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between USSE and BUFX is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.80

Return for Risk

USSE vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

USSE

USSE Risk / Return Rank: 63
USSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
USSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
USSE Omega Ratio Rank: 59
USSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
USSE Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

USSE vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Segall Bryant & Hamill Select Equity ETF (USSE) 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.

	USSE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.29	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.73	—	—
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

	USSE	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.17	2.68	-1.51

Drawdowns

USSE vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USSE drawdown since its inception was -22.36%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USSE and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	USSE	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.36%	-2.87%	-19.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.11%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	-0.07%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.61%	-0.24%	-3.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	USSE	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.15%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.81%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.60%	3.98%	+10.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.25%	3.98%	+12.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.25%	3.98%	+12.27%

USSE vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

USSE has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

USSE vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

Neither USSE nor BUFX has 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%
USSE Segall Bryant & Hamill Select Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.11%	0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USSE and BUFX in my portfolio?

USSE and BUFX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, USSE or BUFX?

On fees, USSE is cheaper at 0.65% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, USSE or BUFX?

USSE is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

USSE and BUFX have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between USSE and BUFX?

USSE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Segall Bryant & Hamill and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for USSE and 0.96% for BUFX.