BUFD vs SDTY
FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF vs YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF
Which is better, BUFD or SDTY?
SDTY has been ahead.
BUFD has a lower expense ratio. SDTY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | SDTY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95%Best | 1.08% |
| AUM | $2.2B | $29M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 28.74% |
| Holdings | 26 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +7.99% | +11.19%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.75% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.44% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.86% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.0%Best | 13.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.2%Best | -16.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $11,775 | $13,460Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jan 20, 2021 | Feb 5, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 6, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.7 years).
BUFD vs SDTY 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
BUFD vs SDTY Performance
FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year BUFD returned +10.75% while SDTY returned +16.63%. Year to date, BUFD is up 7.99% versus a gain of 11.19% for SDTY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SDTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 6.0% 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 -10.2% for BUFD and -16.3% for SDTY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. 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 SDTY charges 1.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $108 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFD currently yields 0.00% against 28.74% for SDTY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 12 holdings in BUFD and 1 in SDTY, totalling 99.9% and 10.8% 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 1 in SDTY, against full books of 26 and 12.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFD and SDTY 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 SDTY?
BUFD has an expense ratio of 0.95% while SDTY charges 1.08%. BUFD is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFD or SDTY?
Over the past year BUFD returned +10.75% vs +16.63% for SDTY, so SDTY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BUFD annualized +10.09% vs +19.10% for SDTY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFD or SDTY?
SDTY has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 6.0% for BUFD. Worst drawdown: BUFD -10.2% vs SDTY -16.3%.
Should I hold both BUFD and SDTY?
BUFD and SDTY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 SDTY?
BUFD yields 0.00% while SDTY yields 28.74%, so SDTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SDTY better than BUFD?
BUFD has a lower expense ratio. SDTY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.