ACWX vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ACWX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. ACWX is passively managed, while BUFI is actively managed. Over the past year, ACWX returned 32.87% vs 12.79% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACWX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

ACWX vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACWX achieves a 15.52% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 5.25% return.

ACWX

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 5.30%
• YTD: 15.52%
• 6M: 18.73%
• 1Y: 32.87%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 8.79%
• 10Y*: 9.68%

BUFI

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: 5.25%
• 6M: 6.93%
• 1Y: 12.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACWX vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	15.52%	32.59%	-3.49%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	5.25%	16.50%	-1.31%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWX and BUFI is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.93

The correlation between ACWX and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ACWX vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ACWX

ACWX Risk / Return Rank: 62
ACWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
ACWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ACWX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ACWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ACWX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 46
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
BUFI Omega Ratio Rank: 46
BUFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
BUFI Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ACWX vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ACWX	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.53	+0.61
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	2.25	+0.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.30	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	2.34	+0.67
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.72	9.31	+2.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACWX vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWX and BUFI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACWX	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	1.53	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	1.53	-1.29

Drawdowns

ACWX vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWX drawdown since its inception was -60.40%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWX and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWX	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.40%	-7.43%	-52.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-5.69%	-5.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.07%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.01%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.34%	-0.86%	-12.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	1.43%	+1.50%

Volatility

ACWX vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) has a higher volatility of 5.73% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.29%. This indicates that ACWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACWX	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.73%	2.29%	+3.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.22%	7.04%	+6.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.50%	8.43%	+7.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.28%	9.16%	+7.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.38%	9.16%	+8.22%

ACWX vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWX vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

ACWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	2.44%	2.82%	2.97%	2.96%	2.68%	2.74%	1.88%	3.22%	2.60%	2.40%	2.77%	2.51%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWX and BUFI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, ACWX and BUFI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ACWX or BUFI?

ACWX has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to BUFI (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWX dropped -60.40% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, ACWX or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, ACWX leads with 32.87% vs 12.79% for BUFI. On fees, ACWX is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACWX or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, ACWX has performed better with a 32.87% return vs 12.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACWX or BUFI?

ACWX is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACWX or BUFI?

ACWX has the higher dividend yield at 2.44%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between ACWX and BUFI?

ACWX is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: iShares and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWX and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.53), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.