BUFQ vs IVV
FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, BUFQ or IVV?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | BUFQ | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.00% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 10 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +11.76% | +12.39%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.30% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.18% | +21.38%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.5%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.7%Best | -18.8% |
| $10,000 over 4.3 years | $20,382 | $22,305Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 15, 2022 | May 15, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 16, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.3 years).
BUFQ vs IVV 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 4.3 years both funds cover.
BUFQ vs IVV Performance
FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year BUFQ returned +15.30% while IVV returned +16.61%. Year to date, BUFQ is up 11.76% versus a gain of 12.39% for IVV.
Over three years, BUFQ compounded at +16.18% per year against +21.38% for IVV. Across the full 4-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +20.51% annualized vs +18.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 11.5% for BUFQ. 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 -15.7% for BUFQ and -18.8% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFQ charges 1.00% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $100 vs $3 annually, a gap of $97 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFQ currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in BUFQ and 490 in IVV, totalling 100.0% and 99.3% 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 BUFQ and 490 in IVV, against full books of 10 and 508.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFQ and IVV 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, BUFQ or IVV?
BUFQ has an expense ratio of 1.00% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $97 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFQ or IVV?
Over the past year BUFQ returned +15.30% vs +16.61% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BUFQ annualized +18.01% vs +20.51% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFQ or IVV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 11.5% for BUFQ. Worst drawdown: BUFQ -15.7% vs IVV -18.8%.
Should I hold both BUFQ and IVV?
BUFQ and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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, BUFQ or IVV?
BUFQ yields 0.00% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than BUFQ?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.