BUFG vs BUFR
FT Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF vs FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF
Which is better, BUFG or BUFR?
Nearly the same fund. BUFR costs less.
BUFR has a lower expense ratio. BUFR led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | BUFG | BUFR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.13% | 0.95%Best |
| AUM | $338M | $10.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 16 | 26 |
| YTD Return | +9.10% | +10.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.26% | +13.37%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.60% | +14.92%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.63% | +10.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.4% | 9.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.6% | -13.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,127 | $16,223Best |
| Top 10 Weight | - | 83.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Oct 26, 2021 | Aug 10, 2020 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 27, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5 years).
BUFG vs BUFR 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 5 years both funds cover.
BUFG vs BUFR Performance
FT Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF (BUFG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year BUFG returned +12.26% while BUFR returned +13.37%. Year to date, BUFG is up 9.10% versus a gain of 10.03% for BUFR.
Over three years, BUFG compounded at +14.60% per year against +14.92% for BUFR; over five years the annualized figures are +8.63% and +10.16% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BUFG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.4% compared with 9.7% for BUFR. 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 -17.6% for BUFG and -13.7% for BUFR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFG charges 1.13% per year while BUFR charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $113 vs $95 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFG currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for BUFR.
Holdings Overlap
99.9% of BUFG's money is in holdings BUFR also owns. 58.3% of BUFR's money is in holdings BUFG also owns.
Most of BUFG is already inside BUFR. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
7 positions in common, counted across the 7 positions we hold weights for in BUFG and 12 in BUFR, against full books of 16 and 26.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 5 positions for BUFR that do not appear in our book for BUFG (41.7% of the fund), and 0 for BUFG that do not appear in BUFR (0.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BUFG | Weight in BUFR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAUGFt Cboe Vest U.s. Equity Buffer Etf - August | 15.08% | 8.29% | 6.79% |
| FMAYFt Cboe Vest U.s. Equity Buffer Etf - May | 14.99% | 8.30% | 6.69% |
| LGOVFirst Trust Long Duration Opportunities ETF | 14.68% | 8.38% | 6.30% |
| FJUNFt Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - June | 14.70% | 8.31% | 6.39% |
| FJULFt Vest U.S. Equity Buffer Etf - July | 14.59% | 8.31% | 6.28% |
| FTSMFirst Trust Enhanced Short Maturity ETF | 13.09% | 8.33% | 4.76% |
| FJANFt Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January | 12.79% | 8.33% | 4.46% |
99.9% of BUFG is already inside BUFR.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BUFG or BUFR?
BUFG has an expense ratio of 1.13% while BUFR charges 0.95%. BUFR is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFG or BUFR?
Over the past year BUFG returned +12.26% vs +13.37% for BUFR, so BUFR leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFG or BUFR?
BUFG has been the more volatile fund at 10.4% annualized versus 9.7% for BUFR. Worst drawdown: BUFG -17.6% vs BUFR -13.7%.
Should I hold both BUFG and BUFR?
BUFG and BUFR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between BUFG and BUFR?
99.9% of BUFG's money is in holdings BUFR also owns. 58.3% of BUFR's is in holdings BUFG also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 7 positions we hold weights for in BUFG and 12 in BUFR.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFG or BUFR?
BUFG yields 0.00% while BUFR yields 0.00%, so BUFR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is BUFR better than BUFG?
BUFR has a lower expense ratio. BUFR led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.