BUFT vs FFEB
FT Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - February
Which is better, BUFT or FFEB?
Nearly the same fund. FFEB costs less.
FFEB has a lower expense ratio. FFEB led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | BUFT | FFEB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.21% | 0.85%Best |
| AUM | $163M | $1.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 16 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +7.65% | +11.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.89% | +14.70%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.87% | +16.77%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.83% | +11.00%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.5%Best | 9.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.4%Best | -13.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,275 | $16,851Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Oct 26, 2021 | Feb 21, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 27, 2021 to Oct 15, 2026 (5 years).
BUFT vs FFEB 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.
BUFT vs FFEB Performance
FT Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF (BUFT) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - February (FFEB) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year BUFT returned +9.89% while FFEB returned +14.70%. Year to date, BUFT is up 7.65% versus a gain of 11.30% for FFEB.
Over three years, BUFT compounded at +9.87% per year against +16.77% for FFEB; over five years the annualized figures are +5.83% and +11.00% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FFEB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.7% compared with 5.5% for BUFT. 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 -10.4% for BUFT and -13.8% for FFEB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFT charges 1.21% per year while FFEB charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $121 vs $85 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFT currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for FFEB.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFT and FFEB 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, BUFT or FFEB?
BUFT has an expense ratio of 1.21% while FFEB charges 0.85%. FFEB is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFT or FFEB?
Over the past year BUFT returned +9.89% vs +14.70% for FFEB, so FFEB leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFT or FFEB?
FFEB has been the more volatile fund at 9.7% annualized versus 5.5% for BUFT. Worst drawdown: BUFT -10.4% vs FFEB -13.8%.
Should I hold both BUFT and FFEB?
BUFT and FFEB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFT or FFEB?
BUFT yields 0.00% while FFEB yields 0.00%, so FFEB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FFEB better than BUFT?
FFEB has a lower expense ratio. FFEB led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.