EPIN vs. BUFI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

EPIN (Harbor International Equity ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EPIN is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Harbor, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, EPIN returned 34.90% vs 12.82% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EPIN charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

EPIN vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor International Equity ETF (EPIN) 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, EPIN achieves a 21.71% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 5.65% return.

EPIN

• 1D: -1.31%
• 1M: -1.48%
• 6M: 14.51%
• YTD: 21.71%
• 1Y: 34.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFI

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: -0.20%
• 6M: 3.94%
• YTD: 5.65%
• 1Y: 12.82%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EPIN vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EPIN Harbor International Equity ETF	21.71%	14.36%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	5.65%	7.11%

Correlation

The correlation between EPIN and BUFI is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2025	0.88

The correlation between EPIN and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EPIN vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

EPIN

EPIN Risk / Return Rank: 72
EPIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
EPIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
EPIN Omega Ratio Rank: 71
EPIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
EPIN Martin Ratio Rank: 75

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 57
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
BUFI Omega Ratio Rank: 57
BUFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
BUFI 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.

EPIN vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor International Equity ETF (EPIN) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	EPIN	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	1.47	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.17	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.28	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.01	2.26	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.10	8.96	+2.14

EPIN vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPIN Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPIN 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.

Drawdowns

EPIN vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPIN drawdown since its inception was -11.64%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPIN and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPIN	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.64%	-7.43%	-4.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.64%	-5.69%	-5.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.78%	-0.91%	-2.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.84%	-0.83%	-1.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.15%	1.43%	+1.72%

Volatility

EPIN vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Harbor International Equity ETF (EPIN) has a higher volatility of 5.63% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.30%. This indicates that EPIN'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

	EPIN	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.63%	2.30%	+3.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.97%	7.52%	+9.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.04%	8.73%	+10.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.47%	9.11%	+9.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.47%	9.11%	+9.36%

EPIN vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPIN has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPIN vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

EPIN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%
EPIN Harbor International Equity ETF	0.65%	0.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EPIN and BUFI in my portfolio?

EPIN and BUFI have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EPIN or BUFI?

EPIN has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to BUFI (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPIN dropped -11.64% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, EPIN or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, EPIN leads with 34.90% vs 12.82% for BUFI. On fees, BUFI is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPIN or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, EPIN has performed better with a 34.90% return vs 12.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPIN or BUFI?

BUFI is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for EPIN.

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

EPIN has the higher dividend yield at 0.65%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between EPIN and BUFI?

EPIN is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for EPIN and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EPIN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.47), 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.