BUFR vs XSEP
FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, BUFR or XSEP?
Nearly the same fund. XSEP costs less.
XSEP has a lower expense ratio. BUFR led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | XSEP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.85%Best |
| AUM | $10.9B | $100M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 26 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +10.03%Best | +7.30% |
| 1Y Return | +13.37%Best | +9.65% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.92%Best | +9.88% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.16% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.2% | 5.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.8% | -9.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $17,635Best | $15,182 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Aug 10, 2020 | Sep 21, 2022 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.1 years).
BUFR vs XSEP 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 4.1 years both funds cover.
BUFR vs XSEP Performance
FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September (XSEP) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year BUFR returned +13.37% while XSEP returned +9.65%. Year to date, BUFR is up 10.03% versus a gain of 7.30% for XSEP.
Over three years, BUFR compounded at +14.92% per year against +9.88% for XSEP. Across the full 4-year window we track, BUFR has the edge at +14.84% annualized vs +10.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BUFR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 8.2% compared with 5.0% for XSEP. 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 -9.2% for XSEP. 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 XSEP 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, BUFR currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for XSEP.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFR and XSEP 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 XSEP?
BUFR has an expense ratio of 0.95% while XSEP charges 0.85%. XSEP is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFR or XSEP?
Over the past year BUFR returned +13.37% vs +9.65% for XSEP, so BUFR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BUFR annualized +14.84% vs +10.72% for XSEP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFR or XSEP?
BUFR has been the more volatile fund at 8.2% annualized versus 5.0% for XSEP. Worst drawdown: BUFR -12.8% vs XSEP -9.2%.
Should I hold both BUFR and XSEP?
BUFR and XSEP 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 XSEP?
BUFR yields 0.00% while XSEP yields 0.00%, so XSEP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XSEP better than BUFR?
XSEP has a lower expense ratio. BUFR led over 1Y, 3Y 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.