BUFQ ETF — FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF

FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ)

Updated October 16, 2026.

BUFQ is an ETF linked to Nasdaq 100 (via QQQ). its expense ratio is 1.00%. Total return is 99.2% over the past 4.3 years, 17.6 points behind SPY at 116.8%.

FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF is an ETF that provides exposure to the Nasdaq-100 through a laddered portfolio of four quarterly buffer funds, each using FLEX Options on QQQ to cap upside returns while protecting against the first 10% of losses within its outcome period. The fund does not currently distribute income and carries an expense ratio of 1.00%. It appeals to equity investors seeking large-cap growth with downside protection, though the capped upside and options-based structure come with complexity and the annual rebalancing of its four-quarter ladder.

BUFQ performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 99.2% over the past 4.3 years, 17.6 points behind SPY at 116.8%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 15.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 5.4%.

BUFQ key facts

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

03/24/2022

Expense ratio

1.00%

Distribution frequency

None

Last close

$39.84 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$1,696,739,723

Average volume

166212.0

Beta

0.64

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: Nasdaq 100 (via QQQ); 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.

BUFQ risks and drawbacks

Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 5.4%.

Who may consider BUFQ — and who may not

It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (BUFQ 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 BUFQ

• All tickers starting with B

Tagged: Downside Protection, Hedged, Nasdaq100, Options.

Frequently asked questions

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