BUFG vs VXUS
FT Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BUFG or VXUS?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | BUFG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.13% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $331M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 16 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.37% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.73% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.01% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.62% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.5%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.6%Best | -28.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,120 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 26, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 27, 2021 to Sep 17, 2026 (4.9 years).
BUFG 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 covers the 4.9 years both funds cover.
BUFG vs VXUS Performance
FT Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF (BUFG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BUFG returned +11.73% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, BUFG is up 8.37% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, BUFG compounded at +14.01% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.62% and +9.14% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 10.5% for BUFG. 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 -28.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFG charges 1.13% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $113 vs $5 annually, a gap of $108 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFG currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 7 holdings in BUFG and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 100.0% 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 7 positions we hold weights for in BUFG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 16 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFG 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, BUFG or VXUS?
BUFG has an expense ratio of 1.13% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $108 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFG or VXUS?
Over the past year BUFG returned +11.73% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFG or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 10.5% for BUFG. Worst drawdown: BUFG -17.6% vs VXUS -28.9%.
Should I hold both BUFG and VXUS?
BUFG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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, BUFG or VXUS?
BUFG yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BUFG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.