XISE vs. BUFQ

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

XISE (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September) and BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XISE is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BUFQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 Index - USD. XISE is actively managed, while BUFQ is passively managed. Over the past year, XISE returned 6.37% vs 16.81% for BUFQ. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XISE charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for BUFQ.

Performance

XISE vs. BUFQ - 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 – September (XISE) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XISE achieves a 3.57% return, which is significantly lower than BUFQ's 8.57% return.

XISE

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.53%
• 6M: 3.12%
• YTD: 3.57%
• 1Y: 6.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFQ

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: -0.08%
• 6M: 7.61%
• YTD: 8.57%
• 1Y: 16.81%
• 3Y*: 15.44%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XISE vs. BUFQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
XISE FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September	3.57%	6.42%	5.70%	2.93%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	8.57%	14.03%	16.41%	5.76%

Correlation

The correlation between XISE and BUFQ is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2023	0.69

The correlation between XISE and BUFQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XISE vs. BUFQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

XISE

XISE Risk / Return Rank: 89
XISE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
XISE Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
XISE Omega Ratio Rank: 93
XISE Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
XISE Martin Ratio Rank: 93

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 81
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

XISE vs. BUFQ - 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 – September (XISE) and FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ). 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.

	XISE	BUFQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	1.95	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	2.88	+0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.38	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	3.13	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.02	15.25	+3.78

XISE vs. BUFQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XISE Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the BUFQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XISE and BUFQ, 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

XISE vs. BUFQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XISE drawdown since its inception was -6.17%, smaller than the maximum BUFQ drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XISE and BUFQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	XISE	BUFQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.17%	-15.74%	+9.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.88%	-5.39%	+3.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-0.97%	+0.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.24%	-2.27%	+2.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	1.11%	-0.77%

Volatility

XISE vs. BUFQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September (XISE) is 0.28%, while FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) has a volatility of 3.19%. This indicates that XISE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XISE	BUFQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.28%	3.19%	-2.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.29%	6.98%	-4.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.92%	8.67%	-5.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.83%	13.28%	-8.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.83%	13.28%	-8.45%

XISE vs. BUFQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

XISE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFQ's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

XISE vs. BUFQ - Dividend Comparison

XISE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.93%, while BUFQ has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XISE FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF – September	5.93%	5.81%	7.04%	1.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XISE and BUFQ in my portfolio?

XISE and BUFQ 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, XISE or BUFQ?

BUFQ has higher volatility (3.19%) compared to XISE (0.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XISE dropped -6.17% vs BUFQ's -15.74%.

Which ETF is better, XISE or BUFQ?

On 1-year performance, BUFQ leads with 16.81% vs 6.37% for XISE. On fees, XISE is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, XISE has been the lower-risk option at 0.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XISE or BUFQ?

Over the 1-year period, BUFQ has performed better with a 16.81% return vs 6.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XISE or BUFQ?

XISE is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XISE or BUFQ?

XISE has the higher dividend yield at 5.93%, compared with 0.00% for BUFQ.

What is the main difference between XISE and BUFQ?

XISE is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFQ is Nasdaq-100. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for XISE and 1.10% for BUFQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XISE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.95), 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.