VDE vs. BUFR
VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while BUFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust. VDE is passively managed, while BUFR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VDE returned 24.05%/yr vs 9.55%/yr for BUFR. Their 0.32 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.
Performance
VDE vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 35.27% return, which is significantly higher than BUFR's 6.48% return.
VDE
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 10.29%
- 6M
- 22.82%
- YTD
- 35.27%
- 1Y
- 41.64%
- 3Y*
- 15.31%
- 5Y*
- 24.05%
- 10Y*
- 9.81%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.35%
BUFR
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 0.77%
- 6M
- 5.68%
- YTD
- 6.48%
- 1Y
- 12.42%
- 3Y*
- 12.65%
- 5Y*
- 9.55%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 10.49%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $41.80M | $42.66M | $45.08M | |
| $71.54M | $103.66M | $111.94M |
VDE vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 35.27% | 7.11% | 6.75% | 0.03% | 62.89% | 56.31% | 2.81% |
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF | 6.48% | 12.44% | 14.68% | 19.63% | -7.57% | 11.88% | 6.60% |
Correlation
The correlation between VDE and BUFR is -0.11, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.11 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2020 | 0.32 |
The correlation between VDE and BUFR shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.32 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VDE vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank
VDE
BUFR
VDE vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). 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.
| VDE | BUFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.37 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.74 | 2.78 | -0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.34 | 14.53 | -7.19 |
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Drawdowns
VDE vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, which is greater than BUFR's maximum drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and BUFR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VDE | BUFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.20% | -13.73% | -60.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.04% | -4.61% | -10.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.41% | -12.81% | -8.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.58% | -13.73% | -12.85% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -69.29% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.29% | -0.90% | -3.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.90% | -2.05% | -17.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.59% | 0.88% | +4.71% |
Volatility
VDE vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a higher volatility of 5.13% compared to FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) at 1.58%. This indicates that VDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VDE | BUFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.13% | 1.58% | +3.55% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.34% | 5.26% | +11.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.76% | 6.66% | +14.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.14% | 10.47% | +15.67% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 29.90% | 10.16% | +19.74% |
VDE vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison
VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
VDE vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison
VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, while BUFR has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFR FT Vest Laddered 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% |
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 2.39% | 3.11% | 3.23% | 3.34% | 3.65% | 4.13% | 4.76% | 3.42% | 3.35% | 2.90% | 2.31% | 3.17% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VDE and BUFR have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VDE has higher volatility (5.13%) compared to BUFR (1.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs BUFR's -13.73%.
On 5-year performance, VDE leads with 24.05% vs 9.55% for BUFR. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, BUFR has been the lower-risk option at 1.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VDE has performed better with a 24.05% return vs 9.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.
VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.39%, compared with 0.00% for BUFR.
VDE is categorized as Energy Equities, while BUFR is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.95% for BUFR.
VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.92), 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.
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