VTHR vs. BUFX
VTHR (Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTHR is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 3000 Index, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Over the past year, VTHR returned 22.45% vs 9.40% for BUFX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTHR charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.
Performance
VTHR vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTHR achieves a 8.68% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.77% return.
VTHR
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- -0.80%
- YTD
- 8.68%
- 6M
- 7.15%
- 1Y
- 22.45%
- 3Y*
- 20.48%
- 5Y*
- 11.81%
- 10Y*
- 15.06%
BUFX
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- 0.02%
- YTD
- 3.77%
- 6M
- 3.59%
- 1Y
- 9.40%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VTHR vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF | 8.68% | 12.67% |
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 3.77% | 5.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTHR and BUFX is 0.90, 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 25, 2025 | 0.90 |
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Return for Risk
VTHR vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank
VTHR
BUFX
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
VTHR vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) 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.
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.
| VTHR | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.53 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.22 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
VTHR vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTHR drawdown since its inception was -34.61%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTHR and BUFX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTHR | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.61% | -2.87% | -31.74% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.91% | -2.87% | -6.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.36% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.06% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.61% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.72% | -0.65% | -2.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.03% | -0.25% | -3.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.01% | — | — |
Volatility
VTHR vs. BUFX - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| VTHR | BUFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.76% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.08% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.84% | 4.04% | +8.80% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.39% | 4.04% | +13.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.86% | 4.04% | +13.82% |
VTHR vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTHR has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.
Dividends
VTHR vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison
VTHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, while BUFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate 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% |
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF | 1.05% | 1.08% | 1.19% | 1.47% | 1.52% | 1.16% | 1.37% | 1.65% | 1.89% | 1.63% | 1.82% | 1.84% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.90, VTHR and BUFX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
On 1-year performance, VTHR leads with 22.45% vs 9.40% for BUFX. On fees, VTHR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, VTHR has performed better with a 22.45% return vs 9.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTHR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.
VTHR has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.00% for BUFX.
VTHR is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VTHR and 0.96% for BUFX.
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