BUFIX vs. HEFA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BUFIX (Buffalo International Fund) and HEFA (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BUFIX returned 10.23%/yr vs 12.65%/yr for HEFA. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUFIX charges 1.03%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for HEFA.

Performance

BUFIX vs. HEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Buffalo International Fund (BUFIX) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFIX achieves a 17.82% return, which is significantly higher than HEFA's 10.74% return. Over the past 10 years, BUFIX has underperformed HEFA with an annualized return of 10.23%, while HEFA has yielded a comparatively higher 12.65% annualized return.

BUFIX

• 1D: 1.26%
• 1M: 9.49%
• YTD: 17.82%
• 6M: 21.24%
• 1Y: 20.57%
• 3Y*: 11.94%
• 5Y*: 5.91%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

HEFA

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 4.11%
• YTD: 10.74%
• 6M: 13.13%
• 1Y: 26.32%
• 3Y*: 18.49%
• 5Y*: 13.71%
• 10Y*: 12.65%

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

BUFIX vs. HEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BUFIX Buffalo International Fund	17.82%	17.09%	-1.90%	18.33%	-21.80%	18.20%	19.10%	28.01%	-8.85%	29.33%
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF	10.74%	24.58%	13.71%	20.33%	-4.86%	19.59%	2.09%	27.63%	-9.33%	16.67%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFIX and HEFA is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2014	0.78

The correlation between BUFIX and HEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFIX vs. HEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFIX

BUFIX Risk / Return Rank: 19
BUFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
BUFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
BUFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
BUFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
BUFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

HEFA

HEFA Risk / Return Rank: 62
HEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
HEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
HEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 64
HEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
HEFA 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.

BUFIX vs. HEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Buffalo International Fund (BUFIX) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA). 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.

	BUFIX	HEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	2.10	-0.83
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	2.94	-1.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.39	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.67	2.83	-1.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.83	11.83	-6.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFIX vs. HEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is lower than the HEFA Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFIX and HEFA, 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

	BUFIX	HEFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	2.10	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	1.00	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.80	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.67	-0.33

Drawdowns

BUFIX vs. HEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFIX drawdown since its inception was -55.09%, which is greater than HEFA's maximum drawdown of -32.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFIX and HEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFIX	HEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.09%	-32.39%	-22.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.85%	-9.52%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.52%	-14.28%	-1.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.93%	-14.79%	-20.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.93%	-32.39%	-2.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.17%	-4.17%	-5.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	2.28%	+1.40%

Volatility

BUFIX vs. HEFA - Volatility Comparison

Buffalo International Fund (BUFIX) has a higher volatility of 7.06% compared to iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) at 4.17%. This indicates that BUFIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HEFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFIX	HEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.06%	4.17%	+2.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.73%	10.13%	+4.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.16%	12.59%	+4.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.56%	13.76%	+3.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.52%	15.86%	+1.66%

BUFIX vs. HEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFIX has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is higher than HEFA's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFIX vs. HEFA - Dividend Comparison

BUFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, less than HEFA's 3.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUFIX Buffalo International Fund	0.72%	0.85%	0.84%	0.59%	1.85%	1.20%	0.28%	0.57%	2.42%	0.36%	0.00%	0.51%
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF	3.97%	4.40%	3.09%	3.02%	25.14%	3.06%	2.10%	7.56%	4.58%	2.55%	3.17%	3.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFIX and HEFA in my portfolio?

BUFIX and HEFA have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFIX or HEFA?

BUFIX has higher volatility (7.06%) compared to HEFA (4.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFIX dropped -55.09% vs HEFA's -32.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.27), 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.