BUFY vs VOO

Quick Verdict

VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO delivered stronger 1-year returns. VOO offers more diversification with 505 holdings.

Lower Fees: VOOHigher Returns: VOOMore Diversified: VOO

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBUFYVOOWinner
Expense Ratio1.00%0.03%
AUM$146M$979.0B
Dividend Yield0.00%1.09%
Holdings5509
YTD Return+7.18%+13.80%
1Y Return+13.00%+23.71%
3Y Return (annualized)-+21.50%
5Y Return (annualized)-+13.44%
Volatility (annualized)6.2%14.1%
Max Drawdown-8.0%-34.3%
Fund FamilyFirst Trust Portfolios (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
InceptionSep 25, 2024Sep 7, 2010

BUFY vs VOO Performance

FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFY) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BUFY returned +13.00% while VOO returned +23.71%. Year to date, BUFY is up 7.18% versus a gain of 13.80% for VOO.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 6.2% for BUFY. 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 -8.0% for BUFY and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.47. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.

Fees and Cost Over Time

BUFY charges 1.00% per year while VOO 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, BUFY currently yields 0.00% against 1.09% for VOO.

Holdings Overlap

0.0%overlap

BUFY and VOO share 0 holdings out of 509 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, BUFY or VOO?

BUFY has an expense ratio of 1.00% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $97 per year of difference.

Which performed better, BUFY or VOO?

Over the past year BUFY returned +13.00% vs +23.71% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BUFY annualized +9.54% vs +13.58% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, BUFY or VOO?

VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 6.2% for BUFY. Worst drawdown: BUFY -8.0% vs VOO -34.3%.

Should I hold both BUFY and VOO?

BUFY and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.

What is the holdings overlap between BUFY and VOO?

BUFY and VOO share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 509 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, BUFY or VOO?

BUFY yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.09%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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