BUFD vs XJAN
FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January
Which is better, BUFD or XJAN?
Nearly the same fund. XJAN costs less.
XJAN has a lower expense ratio. BUFD led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | XJAN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.85%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $71M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 26 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +7.99%Best | +7.00% |
| 1Y Return | +10.75%Best | +9.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.44% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.86% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2% | 4.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -10.2% | -10.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $13,293Best | $12,717 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jan 20, 2021 | Jan 22, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 22, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.7 years).
BUFD vs XJAN 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
BUFD vs XJAN Performance
FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January (XJAN) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year BUFD returned +10.75% while XJAN returned +9.59%. Year to date, BUFD is up 7.99% versus a gain of 7.00% for XJAN.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BUFD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.2% compared with 4.3% for XJAN. 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 -10.0% for XJAN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. 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 XJAN charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $85 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFD currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for XJAN.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFD and XJAN 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 XJAN?
BUFD has an expense ratio of 0.95% while XJAN charges 0.85%. XJAN is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFD or XJAN?
Over the past year BUFD returned +10.75% vs +9.59% for XJAN, so BUFD leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFD or XJAN?
BUFD has been the more volatile fund at 5.2% annualized versus 4.3% for XJAN. Worst drawdown: BUFD -10.2% vs XJAN -10.0%.
Should I hold both BUFD and XJAN?
BUFD and XJAN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 XJAN?
BUFD yields 0.00% while XJAN yields 0.00%, so XJAN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XJAN better than BUFD?
XJAN has a lower expense ratio. BUFD led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.