Buffer ETFs, also known as defined-outcome ETFs, use options contracts to offer investors a pre-defined range of outcomes over a set period.
As of August 2024, there were 327 buffer ETFs, representing more than $54.8 billion in assets, up from 73 such ETFs and roughly $4.6 billion in August 2020, according to data from Morningstar Direct.
For example, a buffer ETF could shield investors from the first 10% of losses while limiting upside returns to 15%.
Another downside is the assets have higher fees than traditional ETFs, with 0.8% for the average buffer ETF compared to 0.51% for the average ETF, Armour said.
The benefits of buffer ETFs
Persons:
Jordi Mora Igual, Bryan Armour, Armour
Organizations:
North America, Morningstar, Morningstar Direct