BUFQ vs VYM
FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BUFQ or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BUFQ led over the full window, VYM over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.00% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 10 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.76%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +15.30% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.18% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.5%Best | 13.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.7% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.3 years | $20,382Best | $18,157 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 15, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
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 VYM 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 VYM Performance
FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BUFQ returned +15.30% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, BUFQ is up 11.76% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, BUFQ compounded at +16.18% per year against +17.22% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, BUFQ has the edge at +18.01% annualized vs +14.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.4% 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 -14.5% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFQ charges 1.00% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $100 vs $4 annually, a gap of $96 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFQ currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in BUFQ and 557 in VYM, totalling 100.0% and 99.2% 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 557 in VYM, against full books of 10 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFQ and VYM 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 VYM?
BUFQ has an expense ratio of 1.00% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $96 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFQ or VYM?
Over the past year BUFQ returned +15.30% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BUFQ annualized +18.01% vs +14.88% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFQ or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.4% annualized versus 11.5% for BUFQ. Worst drawdown: BUFQ -15.7% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both BUFQ and VYM?
BUFQ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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 VYM?
BUFQ yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BUFQ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BUFQ led over the full window, VYM over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.