BCIL vs. BUFI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

BCIL (Bancreek International Large Cap ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BCIL is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Bancreek, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BCIL returned -3.37% vs 12.82% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BCIL charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

BCIL vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bancreek International Large Cap ETF (BCIL) 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, BCIL achieves a 3.70% return, which is significantly lower than BUFI's 5.65% return.

BCIL

• 1D: -1.57%
• 1M: -5.20%
• 6M: 2.89%
• YTD: 3.70%
• 1Y: -3.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFI

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: -0.20%
• 6M: 3.94%
• YTD: 5.65%
• 1Y: 12.82%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BCIL vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BCIL Bancreek International Large Cap ETF	3.70%	11.95%	-5.11%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	5.65%	16.50%	-1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between BCIL and BUFI is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2024	0.80

The correlation between BCIL and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BCIL vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

BCIL

BCIL Risk / Return Rank: 7
BCIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
BCIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
BCIL Omega Ratio Rank: 7
BCIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
BCIL Martin Ratio Rank: 7

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 57
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
BUFI Omega Ratio Rank: 57
BUFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
BUFI Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

BCIL vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bancreek International Large Cap ETF (BCIL) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BCIL	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.18	1.47	-1.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.14	2.17	-2.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.28	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.21	2.26	-2.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.49	8.96	-9.45

BCIL vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BCIL Sharpe Ratio is -0.18, which is lower than the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BCIL 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.

Drawdowns

BCIL vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BCIL drawdown since its inception was -16.18%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BCIL and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BCIL	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.18%	-7.43%	-8.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.77%	-5.69%	-10.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.91%	-0.91%	-6.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.28%	-0.83%	-3.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.85%	1.43%	+5.42%

Volatility

BCIL vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Bancreek International Large Cap ETF (BCIL) has a higher volatility of 5.95% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.30%. This indicates that BCIL'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

	BCIL	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.95%	2.30%	+3.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.59%	7.52%	+9.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.38%	8.73%	+9.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	9.11%	+7.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.90%	9.11%	+7.79%

BCIL vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BCIL has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

BCIL vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

BCIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BCIL Bancreek International Large Cap ETF	0.76%	1.25%	0.77%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BCIL and BUFI in my portfolio?

BCIL and BUFI have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BCIL or BUFI?

BCIL has higher volatility (5.95%) compared to BUFI (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BCIL dropped -16.18% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, BCIL or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, BUFI leads with 12.82% vs -3.37% for BCIL. On fees, BUFI is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BCIL or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, BUFI has performed better with a 12.82% return vs -3.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BCIL or BUFI?

BUFI is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for BCIL.

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

BCIL has the higher dividend yield at 0.76%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between BCIL and BUFI?

BCIL is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Bancreek and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for BCIL and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs -0.18), 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.