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BUFD ETF — FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF
FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD)
Updated October 16, 2026.
BUFD is an ETF that tracks the S&P 500 (via SPY). its expense ratio is 0.95%. Total return is 51.4% over the past 5.7 years, 63.1 points behind SPY at 114.5%.
FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF is a fund that provides U.S. large-cap equity exposure through a laddered portfolio of twelve underlying buffer ETFs tied to the S&P 500, using FLEX Options to cap upside returns while buffering losses between -5% and -30% across rolling monthly outcome periods. The fund does not currently distribute income, and carries an expense ratio of 0.95%. It appeals to investors seeking equity market participation with downside protection mechanisms rather than current income generation.
BUFD holdings and sector exposure
Holdings are not available for this snapshot.
Economic / reference exposure: SPY (physical holdings below may be collateral and options, not the reference asset itself).
BUFD performance versus SPY
Price and return data through 2026-10-16.
Total return is 51.4% over the past 5.7 years, 63.1 points behind SPY at 114.5%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 10.6%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 3.4%.
| Window | Total return | CAGR |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 1.0% | — |
| 3M | 2.0% | — |
| 6M | 5.2% | — |
| YTD | 7.8% | — |
| 1Y | 10.6% | — |
| 2Y CAGR | — | 9.90% |
| 3Y CAGR | — | 12.30% |
| 5Y CAGR | — | 7.80% |
| Since inception (5.7 years) | 51.4% | 7.50% |
BUFD key facts
- Issuer
- First Trust
- Asset type
- ETF
- Asset class
- Equity
- Inception date
- 08/13/2020
- Expense ratio
- 0.95%
- Distribution frequency
- None
- Last close
- $30.45 (as of 2026-10-16)
- AUM
- $2,167,682,478
- Average volume
- 384544.0
- Beta
- 0.45
How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns
Distribution rate (the posted rate) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.
Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology
Sources and review
Primary sources: First Trust or company page; Index: S&P 500 (via SPY); prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.
Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.
BUFD risks and drawbacks
Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 3.4%.
Who may consider BUFD — and who may not
It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (BUFD does not currently distribute); investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.
More on BUFD
Frequently asked questions
Does BUFD pay monthly?
No. BUFD does not currently distribute.
What index does BUFD track?
BUFD tracks the S&P 500 (via SPY).
What is BUFD's expense ratio?
BUFD's expense ratio is 0.95%.
When does BUFD pay a dividend?
BUFD does not currently distribute.
How has BUFD performed?
Total return is 51.4% over the past 5.7 years, 63.1 points behind SPY at 114.5%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 10.6%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 3.4%.
More securities from First Trust.
Tickers
Holdings as-of date unavailable.
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