CGXU vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CGXU (Capital Group International Focus Equity ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CGXU is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Capital Group, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, CGXU returned 41.14% vs 12.80% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CGXU charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

CGXU vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CGXU achieves a 19.90% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 4.92% return.

CGXU

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: 10.58%
• YTD: 19.90%
• 6M: 22.54%
• 1Y: 41.14%
• 3Y*: 18.00%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFI

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 1.83%
• YTD: 4.92%
• 6M: 6.32%
• 1Y: 12.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CGXU vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CGXU Capital Group International Focus Equity ETF	19.90%	26.31%	-5.37%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	4.92%	16.50%	-1.31%

Correlation

The correlation between CGXU and BUFI is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.85

The correlation between CGXU and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CGXU vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

CGXU

CGXU Risk / Return Rank: 62
CGXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
CGXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
CGXU Omega Ratio Rank: 60
CGXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
CGXU Martin Ratio Rank: 64

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 47
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
BUFI Omega Ratio Rank: 47
BUFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
BUFI Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

CGXU vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Capital Group International Focus Equity ETF (CGXU) and AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI). 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.

	CGXU	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	1.53	+0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	2.25	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.30	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.14	2.26	+0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.72	8.98	+2.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CGXU vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGXU Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is higher than the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGXU and BUFI, 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

	CGXU	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	1.53	+0.56
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	1.50	-0.94

Drawdowns

CGXU vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGXU drawdown since its inception was -25.64%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGXU and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGXU	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.64%	-7.43%	-18.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.14%	-5.69%	-7.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.14%	-0.32%	-0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.66%	-0.86%	-5.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.52%	1.43%	+2.09%

Volatility

CGXU vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Capital Group International Focus Equity ETF (CGXU) has a higher volatility of 7.31% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.20%. This indicates that CGXU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CGXU	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.31%	2.20%	+5.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.05%	7.05%	+10.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.83%	8.43%	+11.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.93%	9.15%	+10.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.93%	9.15%	+10.78%

CGXU vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGXU has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

CGXU vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

CGXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
CGXU Capital Group International Focus Equity ETF	4.43%	5.31%	1.01%	0.99%	0.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CGXU and BUFI in my portfolio?

CGXU and BUFI have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CGXU or BUFI?

CGXU has higher volatility (7.31%) compared to BUFI (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGXU dropped -25.64% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, CGXU or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, CGXU leads with 41.14% vs 12.80% for BUFI. On fees, CGXU is cheaper at 0.54% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, CGXU or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, CGXU has performed better with a 41.14% return vs 12.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CGXU or BUFI?

CGXU is cheaper with a 0.54% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CGXU or BUFI?

CGXU has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between CGXU and BUFI?

CGXU is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Capital Group and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for CGXU and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CGXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 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.