BUFS vs VYM
FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BUFS or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y 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 | BUFS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.01% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $189M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 10 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +8.89% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.41% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.1%Best | 10.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.0% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.3 years | $12,521 | $14,451Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 29, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 30, 2024 to Sep 17, 2026 (2.3 years).
BUFS 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 2.3 years both funds cover.
BUFS vs VYM Performance
FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFS) 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 BUFS returned +12.41% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, BUFS is up 8.89% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.1% compared with 8.1% for BUFS. 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 -15.0% for BUFS 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFS charges 1.01% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $101 vs $4 annually, a gap of $97 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFS currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in BUFS and 557 in VYM, totalling 99.9% 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 BUFS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 10 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFS 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, BUFS or VYM?
BUFS has an expense ratio of 1.01% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $97 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFS or VYM?
Over the past year BUFS returned +12.41% vs +16.61% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BUFS annualized +10.27% vs +17.36% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFS or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.1% annualized versus 8.1% for BUFS. Worst drawdown: BUFS -15.0% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both BUFS and VYM?
BUFS and VYM 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, BUFS or VYM?
BUFS yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BUFS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.