BUFI vs. FWD

Last updated Apr 17, 2026

BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) and FWD (AB Disruptors ETF) are both exchange-traded funds — BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while FWD is a Global Equities fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BUFI returned 18.01% vs 81.76% for FWD. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUFI charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for FWD.

Performance

BUFI vs. FWD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFI achieves a 4.18% return, which is significantly lower than FWD's 17.16% return.

BUFI

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 2.97%
• YTD: 4.18%
• 6M: 6.80%
• 1Y: 18.01%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FWD

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 9.00%
• YTD: 17.16%
• 6M: 17.03%
• 1Y: 81.76%
• 3Y*: 34.42%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFI vs. FWD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	4.18%	16.50%	-1.31%
FWD AB Disruptors ETF	17.16%	32.00%	-3.26%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFI and FWD is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.62

The correlation between BUFI and FWD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.64 — a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFI vs. FWD — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 61
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
BUFI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
BUFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
BUFI Martin Ratio Rank: 63

FWD

FWD Risk / Return Rank: 88
FWD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
FWD Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FWD Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FWD Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FWD Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

BUFI vs. FWD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) and AB Disruptors ETF (FWD). 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.

	BUFI	FWD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	3.44	-1.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	4.08	-0.76
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.56	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	6.09	-2.88
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.37	21.78	-8.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFI vs. FWD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFI Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is lower than the FWD Sharpe Ratio of 3.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFI and FWD, 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

	BUFI	FWD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	3.44	-1.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.62	1.43	+0.19

Drawdowns

BUFI vs. FWD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFI drawdown since its inception was -7.43%, smaller than the maximum FWD drawdown of -29.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFI and FWD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFI	FWD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.43%	-29.02%	+21.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.69%	-13.03%	+7.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	0.00%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.86%	-4.20%	+3.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	3.64%	-2.27%

Volatility

BUFI vs. FWD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) is 4.25%, while AB Disruptors ETF (FWD) has a volatility of 10.27%. This indicates that BUFI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FWD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFI	FWD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.25%	10.27%	-6.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.39%	19.24%	-12.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.88%	24.12%	-16.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.99%	24.68%	-15.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.99%	24.68%	-15.69%

BUFI vs. FWD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFI has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than FWD's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFI vs. FWD - Dividend Comparison

BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FWD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%.

	TTM	2025	2024
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FWD AB Disruptors ETF	0.10%	0.11%	1.89%