LRGC vs. BUFC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LRGC (AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF) and BUFC (AB Conservative Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LRGC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while BUFC is a Options Trading fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, LRGC returned 23.67% vs 8.86% for BUFC. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LRGC charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFC.

Performance

LRGC vs. BUFC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF (LRGC) and AB Conservative Buffer ETF (BUFC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LRGC achieves a 7.44% return, which is significantly higher than BUFC's 2.84% return.

LRGC

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 3.05%
• YTD: 7.44%
• 6M: 7.71%
• 1Y: 23.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFC

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 1.58%
• YTD: 2.84%
• 6M: 3.28%
• 1Y: 8.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

LRGC vs. BUFC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
LRGC AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF	7.44%	16.23%	24.92%	1.24%
BUFC AB Conservative Buffer ETF	2.84%	5.50%	10.81%	0.47%

Correlation

The correlation between LRGC and BUFC is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2023	0.78

The correlation between LRGC and BUFC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

LRGC vs. BUFC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LRGC	BUFC
Technology	34.0%	33.6%
Communication Services	13.2%	10.5%
Financial Services	12.9%	12.5%
Industrials	8.9%	8.6%
Healthcare	8.8%	9.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	10.1%
Utilities	3.4%	2.5%
Energy	2.8%	3.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	5.3%
Basic Materials	2.1%	1.9%
Real Estate	1.5%	2.0%

Return for Risk

LRGC vs. BUFC — Risk / Return Rank

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

LRGC

LRGC Risk / Return Rank: 57
LRGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
LRGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
LRGC Omega Ratio Rank: 59
LRGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
LRGC Martin Ratio Rank: 57

BUFC

BUFC Risk / Return Rank: 61
BUFC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
BUFC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
BUFC Omega Ratio Rank: 68
BUFC Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
BUFC 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.

LRGC vs. BUFC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF (LRGC) and AB Conservative Buffer ETF (BUFC). 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.

	LRGC	BUFC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	2.09	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	2.97	-0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.40	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	2.46	-0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.89	10.49	-0.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LRGC vs. BUFC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LRGC Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the BUFC Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LRGC and BUFC, 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

	LRGC	BUFC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	2.09	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.45	1.42	+0.02

Drawdowns

LRGC vs. BUFC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LRGC drawdown since its inception was -19.38%, which is greater than BUFC's maximum drawdown of -8.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LRGC and BUFC.

Drawdown Indicators

	LRGC	BUFC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.38%	-8.29%	-11.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.00%	-3.62%	-6.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-0.12%	-0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.15%	-0.76%	-1.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.40%	0.85%	+1.55%

Volatility

LRGC vs. BUFC - Volatility Comparison

AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF (LRGC) has a higher volatility of 2.91% compared to AB Conservative Buffer ETF (BUFC) at 0.98%. This indicates that LRGC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LRGC	BUFC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.91%	0.98%	+1.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.09%	3.36%	+5.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.88%	4.25%	+7.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.20%	5.64%	+9.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.20%	5.64%	+9.56%

LRGC vs. BUFC - Expense Ratio Comparison

LRGC has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFC's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

LRGC vs. BUFC - Dividend Comparison

LRGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, while BUFC has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BUFC AB Conservative Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
LRGC AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF	0.54%	0.58%	0.46%	0.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LRGC and BUFC in my portfolio?

LRGC and BUFC have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LRGC or BUFC?

LRGC has higher volatility (2.91%) compared to BUFC (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LRGC dropped -19.38% vs BUFC's -8.29%.

Which ETF is better, LRGC or BUFC?

On 1-year performance, LRGC leads with 23.67% vs 8.86% for BUFC. On fees, LRGC is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, BUFC has been the lower-risk option at 0.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LRGC or BUFC?

Over the 1-year period, LRGC has performed better with a 23.67% return vs 8.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LRGC or BUFC?

LRGC is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LRGC or BUFC?

LRGC has the higher dividend yield at 0.54%, compared with 0.00% for BUFC.

What is the main difference between LRGC and BUFC?

LRGC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFC is Options Trading. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for LRGC and 0.69% for BUFC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 2.00), 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.