IDVZ vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IDVZ (Opal International Dividend Income ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IDVZ is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by TrueMark Investments, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, IDVZ returned 22.54% vs 12.80% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IDVZ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

IDVZ vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Opal International Dividend Income ETF (IDVZ) 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, IDVZ achieves a 9.70% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 4.92% return.

IDVZ

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 6M: 12.20%
• 1Y: 22.54%
• 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)

IDVZ vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IDVZ Opal International Dividend Income ETF	9.70%	33.14%	-1.61%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	4.92%	16.50%	-0.25%

Correlation

The correlation between IDVZ and BUFI is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2024	0.81

The correlation between IDVZ and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IDVZ vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDVZ

IDVZ Risk / Return Rank: 55
IDVZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
IDVZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
IDVZ Omega Ratio Rank: 56
IDVZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
IDVZ Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

IDVZ vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Opal International Dividend Income ETF (IDVZ) 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.

	IDVZ	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.53	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.25	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.30	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	2.26	+0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.69	8.98	+0.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDVZ vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDVZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDVZ 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

	IDVZ	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	1.53	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.02	1.50	+0.52

Drawdowns

IDVZ vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDVZ drawdown since its inception was -10.99%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDVZ and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDVZ	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.99%	-7.43%	-3.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.35%	-5.69%	-3.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.46%	-0.32%	-2.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.40%	-0.86%	-0.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	1.43%	+0.90%

Volatility

IDVZ vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Opal International Dividend Income ETF (IDVZ) has a higher volatility of 3.88% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.20%. This indicates that IDVZ'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

	IDVZ	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	2.20%	+1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.62%	7.05%	+2.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.95%	8.43%	+3.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.48%	9.15%	+5.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.48%	9.15%	+5.33%

IDVZ vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDVZ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDVZ vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

IDVZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.76%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%
IDVZ Opal International Dividend Income ETF	2.76%	2.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDVZ and BUFI in my portfolio?

IDVZ and BUFI have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDVZ or BUFI?

IDVZ has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to BUFI (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDVZ dropped -10.99% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, IDVZ or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, IDVZ leads with 22.54% vs 12.80% for BUFI. On fees, BUFI is cheaper at 0.69% 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, IDVZ or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, IDVZ has performed better with a 22.54% return vs 12.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDVZ or BUFI?

BUFI is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for IDVZ.

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

IDVZ has the higher dividend yield at 2.76%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between IDVZ and BUFI?

IDVZ is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: TrueMark Investments and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for IDVZ and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDVZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 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.