XIDE vs. BUFD

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

XIDE (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XIDE is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BUFD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XIDE returned 7.52% vs 14.45% for BUFD. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XIDE charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFD.

Performance

XIDE vs. BUFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December (XIDE) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XIDE achieves a 3.24% return, which is significantly lower than BUFD's 5.06% return.

XIDE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 3.24%
• 6M: 3.33%
• 1Y: 7.52%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFD

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 5.06%
• 6M: 5.06%
• 1Y: 14.45%
• 3Y*: 11.77%
• 5Y*: 7.47%
• 10Y*: —

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

XIDE vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
XIDE FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December	3.24%	6.89%	6.63%	0.17%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	5.06%	10.66%	12.42%	0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between XIDE and BUFD is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2023	0.75

The correlation between XIDE and BUFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XIDE vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

XIDE

XIDE Risk / Return Rank: 85
XIDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
XIDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
XIDE Omega Ratio Rank: 94
XIDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
XIDE Martin Ratio Rank: 90

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 89
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BUFD Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

XIDE vs. BUFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December (XIDE) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). 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.

	XIDE	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	2.76	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	4.21	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.57	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	4.23	-1.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.57	22.74	-3.18

XIDE vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XIDE Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is comparable to the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XIDE and BUFD, 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

XIDE vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XIDE drawdown since its inception was -6.61%, smaller than the maximum BUFD drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XIDE and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XIDE	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.61%	-10.75%	+4.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.38%	-3.43%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.15%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	-0.24%	+0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.25%	-1.96%	+1.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.39%	0.64%	-0.25%

Volatility

XIDE vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December (XIDE) is 0.65%, while FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) has a volatility of 1.60%. This indicates that XIDE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XIDE	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.65%	1.60%	-0.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.68%	4.17%	-1.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.90%	5.27%	-2.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.08%	7.74%	-2.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.08%	7.54%	-2.46%

XIDE vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

XIDE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

XIDE vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

XIDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.35%, while BUFD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XIDE FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December	6.35%	6.51%	6.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XIDE and BUFD in my portfolio?

XIDE and BUFD have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XIDE or BUFD?

BUFD has higher volatility (1.60%) compared to XIDE (0.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XIDE dropped -6.61% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, XIDE or BUFD?

On 1-year performance, BUFD leads with 14.45% vs 7.52% for XIDE. On fees, XIDE is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, XIDE has been the lower-risk option at 0.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XIDE or BUFD?

Over the 1-year period, BUFD has performed better with a 14.45% return vs 7.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XIDE or BUFD?

XIDE is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XIDE or BUFD?

XIDE has the higher dividend yield at 6.35%, compared with 0.00% for BUFD.

What is the main difference between XIDE and BUFD?

XIDE is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFD is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for XIDE and 0.95% for BUFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 2.62), 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.