BUFI vs. SMAX

Last updated Apr 18, 2026

BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) and SMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BUFI returned 18.00% vs 11.56% for SMAX. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUFI charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SMAX.

Performance

BUFI vs. SMAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFI achieves a 4.96% return, which is significantly higher than SMAX's 1.61% return.

BUFI

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 4.96%
• 6M: 7.35%
• 1Y: 18.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMAX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 1.86%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: 2.96%
• 1Y: 11.56%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFI vs. SMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	4.96%	16.50%	-1.31%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	1.61%	8.01%	-0.21%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFI and SMAX is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.63

The correlation between BUFI and SMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.65 — a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFI vs. SMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 57
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
BUFI Omega Ratio Rank: 63
BUFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
BUFI Martin Ratio Rank: 59

SMAX

SMAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
SMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
SMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
SMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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. SMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX). 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	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	3.91	-1.58
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	6.25	-2.93
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.89	-0.43
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	5.83	-2.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.89	30.94	-18.04
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. SMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFI Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is lower than the SMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFI and SMAX, 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	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	3.91	-1.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.68	1.84	-0.16

Drawdowns

BUFI vs. SMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFI drawdown since its inception was -7.43%, which is greater than SMAX's maximum drawdown of -3.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFI and SMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFI	SMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.43%	-3.90%	-3.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.69%	-1.91%	-3.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.85%	-0.43%	-0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	0.36%	+1.01%

Volatility

BUFI vs. SMAX - Volatility Comparison

AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) has a higher volatility of 4.16% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX) at 1.36%. This indicates that BUFI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFI	SMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	1.36%	+2.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.43%	2.21%	+4.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.83%	2.98%	+4.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.99%	3.79%	+5.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.99%	3.79%	+5.20%

BUFI vs. SMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFI has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than SMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFI vs. SMAX - Dividend Comparison

BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%.

	TTM	2025	2024
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	0.96%	0.98%	0.27%