FINT vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FINT (Frontier Asset Total International Equity ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FINT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Frontier, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FINT returned 33.22% vs 14.67% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FINT charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

FINT vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Frontier Asset Total International Equity ETF (FINT) 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, FINT achieves a 16.61% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 6.10% return.

FINT

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 3.00%
• YTD: 16.61%
• 6M: 17.36%
• 1Y: 33.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFI

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 6.10%
• 6M: 6.39%
• 1Y: 14.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FINT vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FINT Frontier Asset Total International Equity ETF	16.61%	29.12%	-0.77%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	6.10%	16.50%	0.34%

Correlation

The correlation between FINT and BUFI is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2024	0.90

The correlation between FINT and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FINT vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FINT

FINT Risk / Return Rank: 71
FINT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FINT Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FINT Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FINT Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
FINT Martin Ratio Rank: 71

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 55
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
BUFI Omega Ratio Rank: 56
BUFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
BUFI Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

FINT vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Frontier Asset Total International Equity ETF (FINT) 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.

	FINT	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	1.72	+0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	2.53	+0.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.34	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	2.59	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.75	10.30	+2.45

FINT vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FINT Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is higher than the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FINT 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

FINT vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FINT drawdown since its inception was -13.64%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FINT and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FINT	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.64%	-7.43%	-6.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.08%	-5.69%	-4.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.54%	-0.84%	-0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	1.43%	+1.18%

Volatility

FINT vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Frontier Asset Total International Equity ETF (FINT) has a higher volatility of 5.82% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.16%. This indicates that FINT'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

	FINT	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.82%	2.16%	+3.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.84%	7.27%	+5.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.79%	8.58%	+6.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.21%	9.14%	+7.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.21%	9.14%	+7.07%

FINT vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FINT has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

FINT vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

FINT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%
FINT Frontier Asset Total International Equity ETF	1.88%	2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FINT and BUFI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, FINT and BUFI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FINT or BUFI?

FINT has higher volatility (5.82%) compared to BUFI (2.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FINT dropped -13.64% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, FINT or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, FINT leads with 33.22% vs 14.67% for BUFI. On fees, BUFI is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FINT or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, FINT has performed better with a 33.22% return vs 14.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FINT or BUFI?

BUFI is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for FINT.

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

FINT has the higher dividend yield at 1.88%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between FINT and BUFI?

FINT is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Frontier and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for FINT and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FINT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.72), 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.