INEQ vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

INEQ (Columbia International Equity Income ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - INEQ is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Columbia Threadneedle, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, INEQ returned 24.52% vs 14.67% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. INEQ charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

INEQ vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia International Equity Income ETF (INEQ) 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 stocks are quite close, with INEQ having a 6.17% return and BUFI slightly lower at 6.10%.

INEQ

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -2.02%
• YTD: 6.17%
• 6M: 7.02%
• 1Y: 24.52%
• 3Y*: 19.56%
• 5Y*: 12.08%
• 10Y*: 9.70%

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)

INEQ vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
INEQ Columbia International Equity Income ETF	6.17%	39.85%	-3.93%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	6.10%	16.50%	-1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between INEQ and BUFI is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2024	0.86

The correlation between INEQ and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

INEQ vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

INEQ

INEQ Risk / Return Rank: 54
INEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
INEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
INEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 53
INEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
INEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

INEQ vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia International Equity Income ETF (INEQ) 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.

	INEQ	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.72	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.53	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.34	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	2.59	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.91	10.30	-1.39

INEQ vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current INEQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of INEQ 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

INEQ vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum INEQ drawdown since its inception was -41.71%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for INEQ and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	INEQ	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.71%	-7.43%	-34.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-5.69%	-3.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.38%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.51%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.54%	0.00%	-4.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.04%	-0.84%	-6.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	1.43%	+1.33%

Volatility

INEQ vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Columbia International Equity Income ETF (INEQ) has a higher volatility of 3.88% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.16%. This indicates that INEQ'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

	INEQ	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	2.16%	+1.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.02%	7.27%	+3.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.76%	8.58%	+5.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.32%	9.14%	+6.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.34%	9.14%	+7.20%

INEQ vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

INEQ vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

INEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.29%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
INEQ Columbia International Equity Income ETF	9.29%	9.76%	3.11%	3.27%	3.57%	3.43%	2.64%	3.34%	7.25%	4.63%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both INEQ and BUFI in my portfolio?

INEQ and BUFI have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, INEQ or BUFI?

INEQ has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to BUFI (2.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, INEQ dropped -41.71% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, INEQ or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, INEQ leads with 24.52% vs 14.67% for BUFI. On fees, INEQ 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, INEQ or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, INEQ has performed better with a 24.52% return vs 14.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, INEQ or BUFI?

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

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

INEQ has the higher dividend yield at 9.29%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between INEQ and BUFI?

INEQ is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Columbia Threadneedle and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for INEQ and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

INEQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 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.