HIDV vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HIDV (AB US High Dividend ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HIDV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, HIDV returned 29.26% vs 12.71% for BUFI. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HIDV charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

HIDV vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB US High Dividend ETF (HIDV) 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, HIDV achieves a 11.35% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 5.24% return.

HIDV

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 4.19%
• YTD: 11.35%
• 6M: 12.26%
• 1Y: 29.26%
• 3Y*: 22.30%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFI

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 5.24%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 12.71%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HIDV vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
HIDV AB US High Dividend ETF	11.35%	14.64%	-2.78%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	5.24%	16.50%	-1.31%

Correlation

The correlation between HIDV and BUFI is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.72

The correlation between HIDV and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HIDV vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

HIDV

HIDV Risk / Return Rank: 74
HIDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
HIDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
HIDV Omega Ratio Rank: 77
HIDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
HIDV Martin Ratio Rank: 72

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 47
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
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.

HIDV vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB US High Dividend ETF (HIDV) 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.

	HIDV	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	1.52	+0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	2.23	+1.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.29	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	2.24	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.38	8.92	+4.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HIDV vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HIDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is higher than the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HIDV 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

	HIDV	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	1.52	+0.96
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.63	1.52	+0.11

Drawdowns

HIDV vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HIDV drawdown since its inception was -18.76%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HIDV and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	HIDV	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.76%	-7.43%	-11.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.57%	-5.69%	-3.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.60%	-0.02%	-0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.05%	-0.85%	-1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	1.43%	+0.76%

Volatility

HIDV vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

AB US High Dividend ETF (HIDV) has a higher volatility of 2.88% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.16%. This indicates that HIDV'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

	HIDV	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	2.16%	+0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	7.05%	+1.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.90%	8.43%	+3.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.51%	9.14%	+5.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.51%	9.14%	+5.37%

HIDV vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

HIDV has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

HIDV vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

HIDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.26%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HIDV AB US High Dividend ETF	2.26%	2.22%	2.29%	2.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HIDV and BUFI in my portfolio?

HIDV and BUFI have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HIDV or BUFI?

HIDV has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to BUFI (2.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIDV dropped -18.76% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, HIDV or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, HIDV leads with 29.26% vs 12.71% for BUFI. On fees, HIDV is cheaper at 0.45% 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, HIDV or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, HIDV has performed better with a 29.26% return vs 12.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HIDV or BUFI?

HIDV is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

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

HIDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.26%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between HIDV and BUFI?

HIDV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for HIDV and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HIDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 1.52), 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.