JHID vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

JHID (John Hancock International High Dividend ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JHID is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by John Hancock, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, JHID returned 33.80% vs 12.71% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JHID charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

JHID vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID) 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, JHID achieves a 13.77% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 5.24% return.

JHID

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 2.19%
• YTD: 13.77%
• 6M: 16.64%
• 1Y: 33.80%
• 3Y*: 22.68%
• 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)

JHID vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
JHID John Hancock International High Dividend ETF	13.77%	41.47%	-3.41%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	5.24%	16.50%	-1.31%

Correlation

The correlation between JHID and BUFI is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.92

The correlation between JHID and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JHID vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

JHID

JHID Risk / Return Rank: 82
JHID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
JHID Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
JHID Omega Ratio Rank: 82
JHID Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
JHID Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

JHID vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID) 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.

	JHID	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	1.52	+1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	2.23	+1.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.29	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.03	2.24	+1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.73	8.92	+6.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JHID vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHID Sharpe Ratio is 2.69, which is higher than the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHID 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

	JHID	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.69	1.52	+1.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.59	1.52	+0.07

Drawdowns

JHID vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHID drawdown since its inception was -12.42%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHID and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHID	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.42%	-7.43%	-4.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.42%	-5.69%	-2.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-0.02%	-0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-0.85%	-1.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	1.43%	+0.72%

Volatility

JHID vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID) has a higher volatility of 3.90% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.16%. This indicates that JHID'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

	JHID	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.90%	2.16%	+1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.40%	7.05%	+3.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	8.43%	+4.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.91%	9.14%	+4.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.91%	9.14%	+4.77%

JHID vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHID has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHID vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

JHID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.86%, 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%
JHID John Hancock International High Dividend ETF	2.86%	3.13%	5.15%	5.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JHID and BUFI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, JHID 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, JHID or BUFI?

JHID has higher volatility (3.90%) compared to BUFI (2.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHID dropped -12.42% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, JHID or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, JHID leads with 33.80% vs 12.71% for BUFI. On fees, JHID is cheaper at 0.46% 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, JHID or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, JHID has performed better with a 33.80% return vs 12.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JHID or BUFI?

JHID is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

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

JHID has the higher dividend yield at 2.86%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between JHID and BUFI?

JHID is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: John Hancock and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for JHID and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JHID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 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.