BUFD vs BUFR
FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF vs FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF
Which is better, BUFD or BUFR?
BUFR has been ahead.
BUFR led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BUFD | BUFR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95%Tie | 0.95%Tie |
| AUM | $2.2B | $10.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 26 | 26 |
| YTD Return | +7.99% | +10.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.75% | +13.37%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.44% | +14.92%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.86% | +10.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.5%Best | 9.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.8%Best | -13.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,598 | $16,223Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 83.3%Tie | 83.3%Tie |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jan 20, 2021 | Aug 10, 2020 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 21, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.7 years).
BUFD vs BUFR growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.7 years both funds cover.
BUFD vs BUFR Performance
FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year BUFD returned +10.75% while BUFR returned +13.37%. Year to date, BUFD is up 7.99% versus a gain of 10.03% for BUFR.
Over three years, BUFD compounded at +12.44% per year against +14.92% for BUFR; over five years the annualized figures are +7.86% and +10.16% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, BUFR has the edge at +10.17% annualized vs +7.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BUFR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.2% compared with 6.5% for BUFD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -10.8% for BUFD and -13.7% for BUFR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFD charges 0.95% per year while BUFR charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $95 annually. On income, BUFD currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for BUFR.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 12 holdings in BUFD and 12 in BUFR, totalling 99.9% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 12 positions we hold weights for in BUFD and 12 in BUFR, against full books of 26 and 26.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 12 positions for BUFR that do not appear in our book for BUFD (99.9% of the fund), and 12 for BUFD that do not appear in BUFR (99.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFD and BUFR you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BUFD or BUFR?
BUFD has an expense ratio of 0.95% while BUFR charges 0.95%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BUFD or BUFR?
Over the past year BUFD returned +10.75% vs +13.37% for BUFR, so BUFR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), BUFD annualized +7.57% vs +10.17% for BUFR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFD or BUFR?
BUFR has been the more volatile fund at 9.2% annualized versus 6.5% for BUFD. Worst drawdown: BUFD -10.8% vs BUFR -13.7%.
Should I hold both BUFD and BUFR?
BUFD and BUFR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFD or BUFR?
BUFD yields 0.00% while BUFR yields 0.00%, so BUFR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is BUFR better than BUFD?
BUFR led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.