Traditional buffered ETF payoff diagrams show what investors can expect at the end of an outcome period, but they reveal much less about how these products behave along the way. Erik Ogard examines mark-to-market pricing, remaining option value and forward scenario analysis to provide a more complete picture of buffered ETF behavior.
TheStreet explores how buffered ETFs use options strategies to provide defined downside protection in exchange for limited upside. The article examines their potential role in retirement portfolios, particularly for investors concerned about market volatility and sequence-of-returns risk.
Even buffered ETFs with nearly identical structures can deliver very different results because of reset timing and market path. OCMR examines how path dependency affects buffered ETF performance and why ongoing analysis and monitoring matter.
Big news: BufferLABS has its first client—wealth management star Jeff Hussey! As markets teeter, we’re rolling out tools to enhance buffered ETF portfolios at Bufferlabsetfs.com. Jeff’s in, and you can be too! Meet Jeff HusseyJeff’s a serious investor: former Global Chief Investment Officer at Russell Investments, steering hundreds of billions through rough seas. Now, he…
On April 14, 2025, AQR Capital Management’s Daniel Villalon appeared on Bloomberg TV and labeled buffered ETFs, such as the FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF), as an “investment failure.” Watch it here: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2025-04-14/buffer-etfs-an-investment-failure-aqr-video AQR’s critique claims these options-powered funds underperform simpler alternatives, fail to mitigate drawdowns…
We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming webinar, Introduction to BufferLABS – Mastering Buffered ETFs with the ADOPT Model, happening on May 7 at 2:00 PM EDT. In partnership with BlueVault Research, who is proudly sponsoring the event, we’ll unpack the BufferLABS research platform and showcase our innovative ADOPT model. Led by Erik Ogard, CFA, Co-Founder…
Markets are stumbling through a correction—and it might get uglier. BufferLabs’ research subscriptions launch Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Bufferlabsetfs.com, arming you with tools to conquer buffered ETF portfolios. First 100 subscribers snag 50% off their first year—and advisors, you can claim a free 1:1 holdings review now, before you sign up. Let’s tame the…
BufferLABS Response to AQR Blog Post: “Rebuffed: A Closer Look at Options-Based Strategies” Dated March 21, 2025 – Cliff Asness and Daniel Villalon https://www.aqr.com/Insights/Perspectives/Rebuffed-A-Closer-Look-at-Options-Based-Strategies As a new research publisher and participant in the buffered ETF ecosystem, BufferLABS aims to shed light on these hedging instruments using data and facts—nothing more, nothing less. So, we read…
