VNSE vs. BUFH

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VNSE (Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF) and BUFH (FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VNSE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Actively Managed, while BUFH is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust. VNSE is passively managed, while BUFH is actively managed. Over the past year, VNSE returned 14.59% vs 6.20% for BUFH. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VNSE charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFH.

Performance

VNSE vs. BUFH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF (VNSE) 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, VNSE achieves a 8.44% return, which is significantly higher than BUFH's 3.05% return.

VNSE

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: 0.98%
• 6M: 5.95%
• YTD: 8.44%
• 1Y: 14.59%
• 3Y*: 12.03%
• 5Y*: 9.32%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.98%

BUFH

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.43%
• 6M: 2.73%
• YTD: 3.05%
• 1Y: 6.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.33%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	$306.65K	$225.75K	$191.92K
VNSE Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF	$8.18K	$4.57K	$18.77K

VNSE vs. BUFH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VNSE Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF	8.44%	9.78%
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	3.05%	3.81%

Correlation

The correlation between VNSE and BUFH is 0.76, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.71

The correlation between VNSE and BUFH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VNSE vs. BUFH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VNSE

VNSE Risk / Return Rank: 35
VNSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VNSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VNSE Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VNSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
VNSE Martin Ratio Rank: 39

BUFH

BUFH Risk / Return Rank: 93
BUFH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
BUFH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BUFH Omega Ratio Rank: 95
BUFH Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
BUFH Martin Ratio Rank: 94

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VNSE vs. BUFH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF (VNSE) 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.

	VNSE	BUFH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.89	2.52	-1.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.33	3.93	-2.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.55	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	3.95	-2.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.23	18.47	-14.24

VNSE vs. BUFH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VNSE Sharpe Ratio is 0.89, which is lower than the BUFH Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VNSE 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

VNSE vs. BUFH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VNSE drawdown since its inception was -24.21%, which is greater than BUFH's maximum drawdown of -1.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNSE and BUFH.

Drawdown Indicators

	VNSE	BUFH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.21%	-1.53%	-22.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.89%	-1.53%	-10.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.47%	0.00%	-1.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.43%	-0.17%	-5.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.08%	0.33%	+2.75%

Volatility

VNSE vs. BUFH - Volatility Comparison

Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF (VNSE) has a higher volatility of 3.91% compared to FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH) at 0.53%. This indicates that VNSE'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

	VNSE	BUFH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.91%	0.53%	+3.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.54%	1.88%	+9.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.60%	2.41%	+12.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.33%	2.33%	+15.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.11%	2.33%	+14.78%

VNSE vs. BUFH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VNSE has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFH's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

VNSE vs. BUFH - Dividend Comparison

VNSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.20%, while BUFH has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BUFH FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VNSE Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF	0.20%	0.21%	0.00%	0.21%	7.01%	19.65%	0.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VNSE and BUFH in my portfolio?

VNSE and BUFH have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VNSE or BUFH?

VNSE has higher volatility (3.91%) compared to BUFH (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNSE dropped -24.21% vs BUFH's -1.53%.

Which ETF is better, VNSE or BUFH?

On 1-year performance, VNSE leads with 14.59% vs 6.20% for BUFH. On fees, VNSE is cheaper at 0.80% per year. On volatility, BUFH has been the lower-risk option at 0.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VNSE or BUFH?

Over the 1-year period, VNSE has performed better with a 14.59% return vs 6.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VNSE or BUFH?

VNSE is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFH.

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

VNSE has the higher dividend yield at 0.20%, compared with 0.00% for BUFH.

What is the main difference between VNSE and BUFH?

VNSE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFH is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Natixis and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for VNSE and 0.95% for BUFH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.89), 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.