EAFG vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EAFG (Pacer Developed Markets Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EAFG is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Pacer Developed Markets Cash Cows Growth Leaders Index, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. EAFG is passively managed, while BUFI is actively managed. Over the past year, EAFG returned 24.58% vs 12.80% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EAFG charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

EAFG vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Developed Markets Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (EAFG) 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, EAFG achieves a 10.66% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 4.92% return.

EAFG

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 3.24%
• YTD: 10.66%
• 6M: 13.09%
• 1Y: 24.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 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)

EAFG vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EAFG Pacer Developed Markets Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	10.66%	26.39%	-3.96%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	4.92%	16.50%	-1.31%

Correlation

The correlation between EAFG and BUFI is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.86

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

Return for Risk

EAFG vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

EAFG

EAFG Risk / Return Rank: 41
EAFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
EAFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
EAFG Omega Ratio Rank: 39
EAFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
EAFG Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

EAFG vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Developed Markets Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (EAFG) 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.

	EAFG	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.53	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	2.25	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.30	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	2.26	-0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.26	8.98	-1.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EAFG vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EAFG Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EAFG 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

	EAFG	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	1.53	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	1.50	-0.72

Drawdowns

EAFG vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EAFG drawdown since its inception was -16.47%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EAFG and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	EAFG	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.47%	-7.43%	-9.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.71%	-5.69%	-7.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.47%	-0.32%	-2.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.19%	-0.86%	-2.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.39%	1.43%	+1.96%

Volatility

EAFG vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Developed Markets Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (EAFG) has a higher volatility of 5.77% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.20%. This indicates that EAFG'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

	EAFG	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.77%	2.20%	+3.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.64%	7.05%	+7.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.26%	8.43%	+8.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.24%	9.15%	+8.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.24%	9.15%	+8.09%

EAFG vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

EAFG has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

EAFG vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

EAFG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
EAFG Pacer Developed Markets Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	1.23%	1.31%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EAFG and BUFI in my portfolio?

EAFG and BUFI have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EAFG or BUFI?

EAFG has higher volatility (5.77%) compared to BUFI (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EAFG dropped -16.47% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, EAFG or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, EAFG leads with 24.58% vs 12.80% for BUFI. On fees, EAFG is cheaper at 0.65% 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, EAFG or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, EAFG has performed better with a 24.58% return vs 12.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EAFG or BUFI?

EAFG is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

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

EAFG has the higher dividend yield at 1.23%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between EAFG and BUFI?

EAFG is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for EAFG and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 1.43), 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.