FT Cboe Vest Laddered Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFZ) Performance
BUFZ total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +7.7% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +9.8% total return
- Since first price
- +45.0% since 2023
BUFZ trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | BUFZ total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +0.0% | +0.0% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +2.4% | +2.4% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +4.9% | +4.9% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +7.7% | +7.7% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +9.8% | +9.8% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionOct 26, 2023 | +45.0% | +45.0% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: BUFZ vs SPY
From Oct 26, 2023: BUFZ grew to $14,499, SPY to $19,101.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
BUFZ returns by calendar year
2 of 2 full years positive. Best 2024 (+11.5%), worst 2025 (+11.1%). 2026 is year to date.
BUFZ annual returns table
| Year | BUFZ | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +7.7% | −3.5% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +11.1% | −10.1% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +11.5% | −3.1% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
BUFZ largest drawdowns
Now 0.9% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 19, 2025 | −10.1% | Apr 8, 2025 | Jun 6, 2025 | 48 days | 4 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
BUFZ risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2023 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +13.3% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.4% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.55 |
| Sortino ratio | 3.38 |
| Best month | +5.6% |
| Worst month | −2.9% |
| Best 12 months | +18.4% |
| Worst 12 months | +5.6% |
| Positive months | 80% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
BUFZ rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 25 | +5.6% | +10.3% | +18.4% | 100% |
| 3-year (a year) | 1 | +12.9% | +12.9% | +12.9% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2023. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
BUFZ performance overview
FT Cboe Vest Laddered Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFZ) returned +9.8% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Oct 26, 2023 it has returned +45.0%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −10.1%, from Feb 19, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025, and it took 59 days to get back to the old high. Volatility has been 5.4% a year.
Related: BUFZ chart, BUFZ holdings. See the BUFZ overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
BUFZ performance FAQ
What is the BUFZ return over the past year?
BUFZ returned +9.8% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 9.8%.
How much would $10,000 invested in BUFZ be worth?
$10,000 invested in BUFZ at its first recorded close on October 26, 2023 would be worth about $14,499 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for BUFZ?
The worst calendar year was 2025, with a total return of +11.1%. The best was 2024 at +11.5%.
What is the biggest drawdown of BUFZ?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −10.1% between February 19, 2025 and April 8, 2025. It recovered to the old high on June 6, 2025, 59 days after the bottom.
How volatile is BUFZ?
Over the past history BUFZ had an annualized volatility of 5.4% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.55 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).