BUFM vs DSEP
AB Moderate Buffer ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, BUFM or DSEP?
DSEP has been ahead.
BUFM has a lower expense ratio. DSEP led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | BUFM | DSEP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.69%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $492M | $423M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 7 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +4.67% | +9.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.70% | +11.48%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.52% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.67% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.3%Best | 6.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.4%Best | -9.9% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $11,674 | $11,955Best |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2024 | Sep 18, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 10, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
BUFM vs DSEP 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
BUFM vs DSEP Performance
AB Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFM) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - September (DSEP) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year BUFM returned +7.70% while DSEP returned +11.48%. Year to date, BUFM is up 4.67% versus a gain of 9.34% for DSEP.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DSEP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 6.4% compared with 5.3% for BUFM. 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 -9.4% for BUFM and -9.9% for DSEP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFM charges 0.69% per year while DSEP charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $69 vs $85 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFM currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for DSEP.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFM and DSEP 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, BUFM or DSEP?
BUFM has an expense ratio of 0.69% while DSEP charges 0.85%. BUFM is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFM or DSEP?
Over the past year BUFM returned +7.70% vs +11.48% for DSEP, so DSEP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BUFM annualized +8.98% vs +10.43% for DSEP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFM or DSEP?
DSEP has been the more volatile fund at 6.4% annualized versus 5.3% for BUFM. Worst drawdown: BUFM -9.4% vs DSEP -9.9%.
Should I hold both BUFM and DSEP?
BUFM and DSEP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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, BUFM or DSEP?
BUFM yields 0.00% while DSEP yields 0.00%, so DSEP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DSEP better than BUFM?
BUFM has a lower expense ratio. DSEP led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.