BUFR vs PMMY
FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF vs PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May
Which is better, BUFR or PMMY?
BUFR has been ahead.
PMMY has a lower expense ratio. BUFR led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | PMMY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $10.9B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 26 | 14 |
| YTD Return | +10.03%Best | +3.70% |
| 1Y Return | +13.37%Best | +5.03% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.92% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.16% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.8% | 0.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -4.6% | -0.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $12,844Best | $10,878 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Aug 10, 2020 | Apr 30, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 1, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.5 years).
BUFR vs PMMY 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
BUFR vs PMMY Performance
FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May (PMMY) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year BUFR returned +13.37% while PMMY returned +5.03%. Year to date, BUFR is up 10.03% versus a gain of 3.70% for PMMY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BUFR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.8% compared with 0.9% for PMMY. 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 -4.6% for BUFR and -0.6% for PMMY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFR charges 0.95% per year while PMMY 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 PMMY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFR and PMMY 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 PMMY?
BUFR has an expense ratio of 0.95% while PMMY charges 0.50%. PMMY is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFR or PMMY?
Over the past year BUFR returned +13.37% vs +5.03% for PMMY, so BUFR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BUFR annualized +18.16% vs +5.77% for PMMY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFR or PMMY?
BUFR has been the more volatile fund at 5.8% annualized versus 0.9% for PMMY. Worst drawdown: BUFR -4.6% vs PMMY -0.6%.
Should I hold both BUFR and PMMY?
BUFR and PMMY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFR or PMMY?
BUFR yields 0.00% while PMMY yields 0.00%, so PMMY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PMMY better than BUFR?
PMMY has a lower expense ratio. BUFR led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.