BUFE vs VXUS
FT Vest Laddered Emerging Markets Buffer ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BUFE or VXUS?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio.
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 | BUFE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.05% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 10 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.19% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +19.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 7, 2026 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
BUFE vs VXUS 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
BUFE vs VXUS Performance
FT Vest Laddered Emerging Markets Buffer ETF (BUFE) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, BUFE is up 6.19% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFE charges 1.05% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $105 vs $5 annually, a gap of $100 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFE currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in BUFE and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in BUFE and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 10 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFE and VXUS 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, BUFE or VXUS?
BUFE has an expense ratio of 1.05% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $100 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFE or VXUS?
BUFE yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BUFE?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.