BUFI vs SCHD
AB International Buffer ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, BUFI or SCHD?
Option Writing against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | BUFI | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.69% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $141M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 7 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +6.71% | +24.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.09% | +27.90%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.97% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2%Best | 13.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -7.4%Best | -14.0% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $12,399 | $12,650Best |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2024 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 10, 2024 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.8 years).
BUFI vs SCHD 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
BUFI vs SCHD Performance
AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year BUFI returned +11.09% while SCHD returned +27.90%. Year to date, BUFI is up 6.71% versus a gain of 24.23% for SCHD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% compared with 5.2% for BUFI. 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 -7.4% for BUFI and -14.0% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFI charges 0.69% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $69 vs $6 annually, a gap of $63 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFI currently yields 0.00% against 3.00% for SCHD.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFI and SCHD 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, BUFI or SCHD?
BUFI has an expense ratio of 0.69% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $63 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFI or SCHD?
Over the past year BUFI returned +11.09% vs +27.90% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BUFI annualized +12.69% vs +13.95% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFI or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 5.2% for BUFI. Worst drawdown: BUFI -7.4% vs SCHD -14.0%.
Should I hold both BUFI and SCHD?
BUFI and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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, BUFI or SCHD?
BUFI yields 0.00% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than BUFI?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.