IDHQ vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IDHQ (Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IDHQ is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the IDHQ-US - S&P Quality Developed Ex-U.S. LargeMidCap Index, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. IDHQ is passively managed, while BUFI is actively managed. Over the past year, IDHQ returned 30.97% vs 12.80% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IDHQ charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

IDHQ vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF (IDHQ) 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, IDHQ achieves a 18.47% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 4.92% return.

IDHQ

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 7.43%
• YTD: 18.47%
• 6M: 20.13%
• 1Y: 30.97%
• 3Y*: 18.48%
• 5Y*: 8.61%
• 10Y*: 9.90%

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)

IDHQ vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IDHQ Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF	18.47%	27.46%	-4.63%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	4.92%	16.50%	-1.31%

Correlation

The correlation between IDHQ and BUFI is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.91

The correlation between IDHQ and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IDHQ vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDHQ

IDHQ Risk / Return Rank: 49
IDHQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
IDHQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
IDHQ Omega Ratio Rank: 48
IDHQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
IDHQ Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

IDHQ vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF (IDHQ) 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.

	IDHQ	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	1.53	+0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.25	+0.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.30	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	2.26	+0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.23	8.98	+0.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDHQ vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDHQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDHQ 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

	IDHQ	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.68	1.53	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	1.50	-1.29

Drawdowns

IDHQ vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDHQ drawdown since its inception was -73.84%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDHQ and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDHQ	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.84%	-7.43%	-66.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.44%	-5.69%	-7.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.07%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.54%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.54%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.96%	-0.32%	-0.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.20%	-0.86%	-20.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	1.43%	+1.94%

Volatility

IDHQ vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF (IDHQ) has a higher volatility of 7.57% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.20%. This indicates that IDHQ'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

	IDHQ	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.57%	2.20%	+5.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.39%	7.05%	+9.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.55%	8.43%	+10.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.39%	9.15%	+8.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.93%	9.15%	+8.78%

IDHQ vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDHQ has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDHQ vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

IDHQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.04%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IDHQ Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF	2.04%	2.46%	2.41%	2.52%	3.33%	2.10%	1.60%	2.10%	2.67%	1.68%	2.36%	1.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDHQ and BUFI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, IDHQ 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, IDHQ or BUFI?

IDHQ has higher volatility (7.57%) compared to BUFI (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDHQ dropped -73.84% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, IDHQ or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, IDHQ leads with 30.97% vs 12.80% for BUFI. On fees, IDHQ is cheaper at 0.29% 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, IDHQ or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, IDHQ has performed better with a 30.97% return vs 12.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDHQ or BUFI?

IDHQ is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

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

IDHQ has the higher dividend yield at 2.04%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between IDHQ and BUFI?

IDHQ is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for IDHQ and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDHQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 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.