BUFI vs. SPDW
BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) and SPDW (SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while SPDW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index. BUFI is actively managed, while SPDW is passively managed. Over the past year, BUFI returned 12.80% vs 32.15% for SPDW. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BUFI charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPDW.
Performance
BUFI vs. SPDW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BUFI achieves a 4.92% return, which is significantly lower than SPDW's 15.00% return.
BUFI
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 1.83%
- YTD
- 4.92%
- 6M
- 6.32%
- 1Y
- 12.80%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SPDW
- 1D
- -0.87%
- 1M
- 5.56%
- YTD
- 15.00%
- 6M
- 18.06%
- 1Y
- 32.15%
- 3Y*
- 19.77%
- 5Y*
- 9.38%
- 10Y*
- 10.09%
BUFI vs. SPDW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF | 4.92% | 16.50% | -1.31% |
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 15.00% | 34.75% | -3.37% |
Correlation
The correlation between BUFI and SPDW is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024 | 0.95 |
The correlation between BUFI and SPDW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BUFI vs. SPDW — Risk / Return Rank
BUFI
SPDW
BUFI vs. SPDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) and SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW). 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 | SPDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.55 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.62 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.37 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.26 | 2.80 | -0.54 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.98 | 10.93 | -1.95 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BUFI | SPDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.53 | 2.07 | -0.55 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.57 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.59 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.50 | 0.24 | +1.26 |
Drawdowns
BUFI vs. SPDW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BUFI drawdown since its inception was -7.43%, smaller than the maximum SPDW drawdown of -60.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFI and SPDW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BUFI | SPDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -7.43% | -60.02% | +52.59% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.69% | -11.55% | +5.86% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -13.53% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -30.21% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -34.98% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.32% | -0.87% | +0.55% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.86% | -12.91% | +12.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.43% | 2.95% | -1.52% |
Volatility
BUFI vs. SPDW - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) is 2.20%, while SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) has a volatility of 5.63%. This indicates that BUFI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BUFI | SPDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.20% | 5.63% | -3.43% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.05% | 13.17% | -6.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.43% | 15.60% | -7.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.15% | 16.49% | -7.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.15% | 17.26% | -8.11% |
BUFI vs. SPDW - Expense Ratio Comparison
BUFI has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than SPDW's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
BUFI vs. SPDW - Dividend Comparison
BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPDW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.87%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 2.87% | 3.30% | 3.19% | 2.75% | 3.12% | 3.04% | 1.87% | 3.13% | 3.08% | 1.86% | 3.11% | 2.78% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, BUFI and SPDW 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.
SPDW has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to BUFI (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFI dropped -7.43% vs SPDW's -60.02%.
On 1-year performance, SPDW leads with 32.15% vs 12.80% for BUFI. On fees, SPDW is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, SPDW has performed better with a 32.15% return vs 12.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPDW is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.
SPDW has the higher dividend yield at 2.87%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.
BUFI is categorized as Defined Outcome, while SPDW is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for BUFI and 0.04% for SPDW.
SPDW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 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.
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