XSEP vs. BUFD

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

XSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XSEP 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 3 years, XSEP returned 9.48%/yr vs 11.62%/yr for BUFD. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XSEP charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFD.

Performance

XSEP vs. BUFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September (XSEP) 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, XSEP achieves a 4.33% return, which is significantly lower than BUFD's 4.64% return.

XSEP

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 4.33%
• 6M: 4.10%
• 1Y: 9.51%
• 3Y*: 9.48%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFD

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 4.64%
• 6M: 4.12%
• 1Y: 12.44%
• 3Y*: 11.62%
• 5Y*: 7.32%
• 10Y*: —

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

XSEP vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September	4.33%	8.94%	8.41%	16.07%	2.93%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	4.64%	10.66%	12.42%	15.40%	0.72%

Correlation

The correlation between XSEP and BUFD is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2022	0.82

The correlation between XSEP and BUFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XSEP vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSEP

XSEP Risk / Return Rank: 74
XSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
XSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
XSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 82
XSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
XSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 83

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFD Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

XSEP vs. BUFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September (XSEP) 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.

	XSEP	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.40	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	3.63	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.49	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	3.64	-0.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.49	19.50	-5.01

XSEP vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSEP Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSEP 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

XSEP vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSEP drawdown since its inception was -9.21%, smaller than the maximum BUFD drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSEP and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSEP	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.21%	-10.75%	+1.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.51%	-3.43%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.21%	-10.15%	+0.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.64%	+0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.54%	-1.95%	+1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	0.64%	+0.02%

Volatility

XSEP vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September (XSEP) is 0.99%, while FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) has a volatility of 1.67%. This indicates that XSEP 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

	XSEP	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.99%	1.67%	-0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.88%	4.17%	-0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.82%	5.26%	-0.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.98%	7.75%	-0.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.98%	7.54%	-0.56%

XSEP vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XSEP vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

Neither XSEP nor BUFD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XSEP and BUFD in my portfolio?

XSEP and BUFD have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XSEP or BUFD?

BUFD has higher volatility (1.67%) compared to XSEP (0.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSEP dropped -9.21% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, XSEP or BUFD?

On 3-year performance, BUFD leads with 11.62% vs 9.48% for XSEP. On fees, XSEP is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, XSEP has been the lower-risk option at 0.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XSEP or BUFD?

Over the 3-year period, BUFD has performed better with a 11.62% return vs 9.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSEP or BUFD?

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

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

XSEP and BUFD have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between XSEP and BUFD?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.98), 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.