BUFR vs PMFB
FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF vs PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - February
Which is better, BUFR or PMFB?
Nearly the same fund. PMFB costs less.
PMFB has a lower expense ratio. BUFR led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.
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 | BUFR | PMFB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $10.9B | $6M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 26 | 14 |
| YTD Return | +10.03%Best | +4.40% |
| 1Y Return | +13.37%Best | +6.33% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.92% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.16% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.2% | 2.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.8% | -2.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $12,237Best | $11,110 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Aug 10, 2020 | Jan 31, 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 3, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.7 years).
BUFR vs PMFB 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.
BUFR vs PMFB Performance
FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - February (PMFB) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year BUFR returned +13.37% while PMFB returned +6.33%. Year to date, BUFR is up 10.03% versus a gain of 4.40% for PMFB.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BUFR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.2% compared with 2.4% for PMFB. 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 -12.8% for BUFR and -2.9% for PMFB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFR charges 0.95% per year while PMFB charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $50 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFR currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for PMFB.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFR and PMFB 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, BUFR or PMFB?
BUFR has an expense ratio of 0.95% while PMFB charges 0.50%. PMFB is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFR or PMFB?
Over the past year BUFR returned +13.37% vs +6.33% for PMFB, so BUFR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BUFR annualized +12.61% vs +6.39% for PMFB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFR or PMFB?
BUFR has been the more volatile fund at 7.2% annualized versus 2.4% for PMFB. Worst drawdown: BUFR -12.8% vs PMFB -2.9%.
Should I hold both BUFR and PMFB?
BUFR and PMFB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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, BUFR or PMFB?
BUFR yields 0.00% while PMFB yields 0.00%, so PMFB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PMFB better than BUFR?
PMFB has a lower expense ratio. BUFR led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.