BUFI vs VXUS
AB International Buffer ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BUFI or VXUS?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.69% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $141M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 7 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.03% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.15% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.3%Best | 11.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -7.4%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $12,314 | $14,729Best |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2024 | Jan 26, 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 18, 2026 (1.8 years).
BUFI 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
BUFI vs VXUS Performance
AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BUFI returned +10.15% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, BUFI is up 6.03% versus a gain of 12.82% 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 11.5% compared with 5.3% 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 -13.6% 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFI charges 0.69% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $69 vs $5 annually, a gap of $64 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFI currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFI 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, BUFI or VXUS?
BUFI has an expense ratio of 0.69% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $64 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFI or VXUS?
Over the past year BUFI returned +10.15% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BUFI annualized +12.26% vs +24.00% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFI or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.5% annualized versus 5.3% for BUFI. Worst drawdown: BUFI -7.4% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both BUFI and VXUS?
BUFI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFI or VXUS?
BUFI yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BUFI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.