ILOW vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILOW (AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILOW is a Foreign Large Cap 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, ILOW returned 11.03% vs 12.80% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ILOW charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

ILOW vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) and AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ILOW having a 4.82% return and BUFI slightly higher at 4.92%.

ILOW

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 4.82%
• 6M: 6.86%
• 1Y: 11.03%
• 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)

ILOW vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF	4.82%	26.99%	-3.27%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	4.92%	16.50%	-1.31%

Correlation

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

Return for Risk

ILOW vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILOW

ILOW Risk / Return Rank: 25
ILOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
ILOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
ILOW Omega Ratio Rank: 23
ILOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
ILOW Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

ILOW vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) 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.

	ILOW	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	1.53	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.27	2.25	-0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.30	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	2.26	-1.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.40	8.98	-4.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILOW vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILOW Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILOW 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

	ILOW	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83	1.53	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.07	1.50	-0.42

Drawdowns

ILOW vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILOW drawdown since its inception was -10.37%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILOW and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILOW	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.37%	-7.43%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.80%	-5.69%	-4.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.08%	-0.32%	-1.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.11%	-0.86%	-1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	1.43%	+1.08%

Volatility

ILOW vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) has a higher volatility of 4.47% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.20%. This indicates that ILOW'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

	ILOW	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	2.20%	+2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.12%	7.05%	+4.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.42%	8.43%	+4.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.56%	9.15%	+5.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.56%	9.15%	+5.41%

ILOW vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILOW has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILOW vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

ILOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF	1.53%	1.60%	0.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILOW and BUFI in my portfolio?

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

ILOW has higher volatility (4.47%) compared to BUFI (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILOW dropped -10.37% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, ILOW or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, BUFI leads with 12.80% vs 11.03% for ILOW. On fees, ILOW is cheaper at 0.50% 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, ILOW or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, BUFI has performed better with a 12.80% return vs 11.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILOW or BUFI?

ILOW is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

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

ILOW has the higher dividend yield at 1.53%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between ILOW and BUFI?

ILOW is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for ILOW and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.83), 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.