VSLU vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VSLU (Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VSLU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Applied Finance, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSLU charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

VSLU vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) 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, VSLU achieves a 6.76% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 4.14% return.

VSLU

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 4.20%
• YTD: 6.76%
• 6M: 7.74%
• 1Y: 27.23%
• 3Y*: 22.03%
• 5Y*: 14.42%
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 4.14%
• 6M: 4.86%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VSLU vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VSLU Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF	6.76%	16.01%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	4.14%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VSLU and BUFX is 0.83, 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	0.83

Return for Risk

VSLU vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSLU

VSLU Risk / Return Rank: 64
VSLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VSLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VSLU Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VSLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VSLU Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

VSLU vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) 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.

	VSLU	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.33	—	—
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

	VSLU	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	2.70	-1.83

Drawdowns

VSLU vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSLU drawdown since its inception was -23.86%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSLU and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSLU	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.86%	-2.87%	-20.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.16%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.89%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-0.02%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-0.24%	-4.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VSLU	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.41%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.24%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.48%	3.99%	+8.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.19%	3.99%	+12.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.14%	3.99%	+12.15%

VSLU vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSLU has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSLU vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

VSLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VSLU Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF	0.43%	0.46%	0.60%	0.60%	0.99%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSLU and BUFX in my portfolio?

VSLU and BUFX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VSLU or BUFX?

On fees, VSLU is cheaper at 0.49% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSLU or BUFX?

VSLU is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

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

VSLU has the higher dividend yield at 0.43%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.

What is the main difference between VSLU and BUFX?

VSLU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Applied Finance and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for VSLU and 0.96% for BUFX.