BUFM vs. UGA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUFM (AB Moderate Buffer ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFM is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. BUFM is actively managed, while UGA is passively managed. Over the past year, BUFM returned 12.60% vs 80.94% for UGA. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. BUFM charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.

Performance

BUFM vs. UGA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFM) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFM achieves a 3.71% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 75.49% return.

BUFM

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 2.19%
• YTD: 3.71%
• 6M: 4.16%
• 1Y: 12.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UGA

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -12.35%
• YTD: 75.49%
• 6M: 64.35%
• 1Y: 80.94%
• 3Y*: 22.21%
• 5Y*: 25.10%
• 10Y*: 14.43%

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

BUFM vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BUFM AB Moderate Buffer ETF	3.71%	12.94%	-1.10%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	75.49%	-2.00%	2.84%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFM and UGA is -0.21, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	-0.04

The correlation between BUFM and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to -0.04 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BUFM vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFM

BUFM Risk / Return Rank: 67
BUFM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
BUFM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
BUFM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
BUFM Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
BUFM Martin Ratio Rank: 64

UGA

UGA Risk / Return Rank: 69
UGA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
UGA Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
UGA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
UGA Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
UGA Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

BUFM vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFM) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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.

	BUFM	UGA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.32	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	2.75	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.37	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	5.47	-2.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.49	13.25	-1.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFM vs. UGA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFM Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the UGA Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFM and UGA, 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

	BUFM	UGA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	2.32	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.39	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.12	0.12	+1.00

Drawdowns

BUFM vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFM drawdown since its inception was -9.43%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFM and UGA.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFM	UGA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.43%	-86.59%	+77.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.07%	-14.88%	+10.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.68%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-12.35%	+12.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.99%	-36.76%	+35.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.10%	6.13%	-5.03%

Volatility

BUFM vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFM) is 1.05%, while United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) has a volatility of 11.66%. This indicates that BUFM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFM	UGA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.05%	11.66%	-10.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.37%	30.41%	-26.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.77%	35.14%	-29.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.43%	34.38%	-24.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.43%	37.27%	-27.84%

BUFM vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFM has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFM vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFM nor UGA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFM and UGA in my portfolio?

BUFM and UGA have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFM or UGA?

UGA has higher volatility (11.66%) compared to BUFM (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFM dropped -9.43% vs UGA's -86.59%.

Which ETF is better, BUFM or UGA?

On 1-year performance, UGA leads with 80.94% vs 12.60% for BUFM. On fees, BUFM is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, BUFM has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFM or UGA?

Over the 1-year period, UGA has performed better with a 80.94% return vs 12.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFM or UGA?

BUFM is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for UGA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUFM or UGA?

BUFM and UGA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BUFM and UGA?

BUFM is categorized as Defined Outcome, while UGA is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for BUFM and 0.75% for UGA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UGA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 2.19), 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.