BUFB vs VXUS
Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BUFB or VXUS?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BUFB led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BUFB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $334M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 28 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.92% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.25% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.34% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.7%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.9%Best | -26.9% |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $15,988Best | $15,522 |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 8, 2022 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 9, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.6 years).
BUFB vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 4.6 years both funds cover.
BUFB vs VXUS Performance
Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF (BUFB) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BUFB returned +13.25% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, BUFB is up 9.92% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, BUFB compounded at +15.34% per year against +19.33% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 10.7% for BUFB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -14.9% for BUFB and -26.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFB charges 0.89% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $5 annually, a gap of $84 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFB currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 12 holdings in BUFB and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 12 positions we hold weights for in BUFB and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 28 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFB and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BUFB or VXUS?
BUFB has an expense ratio of 0.89% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $84 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFB or VXUS?
Over the past year BUFB returned +13.25% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFB or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 10.7% for BUFB. Worst drawdown: BUFB -14.9% vs VXUS -26.9%.
Should I hold both BUFB and VXUS?
BUFB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFB or VXUS?
BUFB yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BUFB?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BUFB led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.