BGIA vs. BUFI

Last updated Jul 24, 2026

BGIA (Baillie Gifford International Alpha ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BGIA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Baillie Gifford, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BGIA charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

BGIA vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baillie Gifford International Alpha ETF (BGIA) and AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

BGIA

• 1D: -1.21%
• 1M: -0.58%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

BUFI

• 1D: -1.02%
• 1M: -0.18%
• 6M: 2.92%
• YTD: 4.90%
• 1Y: 10.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.39%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BGIA Baillie Gifford International Alpha ETF	$16.94M	$11.87M	$7.13M
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	$188.06K	$654.73K	$519.10K

BGIA vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
BGIA Baillie Gifford International Alpha ETF	-3.99%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	-0.33%

Correlation

The correlation between BGIA and BUFI is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2026	0.83

Return for Risk

BGIA vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

BGIA

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 48
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
BUFI Omega Ratio Rank: 45
BUFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
BUFI Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

BGIA vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baillie Gifford International Alpha ETF (BGIA) 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.

	BGIA	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.15	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.69	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.22	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.76	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	7.00	—

Drawdowns

BGIA vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BGIA drawdown since its inception was -4.88%, smaller than the maximum BUFI drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BGIA and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BGIA	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-7.43%	+2.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-5.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.68%	-1.61%	-3.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.62%	-0.84%	-1.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.45%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BGIA	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.53%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.61%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.47%	8.85%	+13.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.47%	9.14%	+13.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.47%	9.14%	+13.33%

BGIA vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BGIA has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

BGIA vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

Neither BGIA nor BUFI has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BGIA and BUFI in my portfolio?

BGIA and BUFI have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BGIA or BUFI?

On fees, BGIA is cheaper at 0.59% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BGIA or BUFI?

BGIA is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

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

BGIA and BUFI have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BGIA and BUFI?

BGIA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Baillie Gifford and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for BGIA and 0.69% for BUFI.