LRGC vs. BUFI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

LRGC (AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LRGC is a Large Cap Blend 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, LRGC returned 19.31% vs 14.94% for BUFI. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. LRGC charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

LRGC vs. BUFI - 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 International Buffer ETF (BUFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LRGC achieves a 11.05% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 6.91% return.

LRGC

• 1D: 1.42%
• 1M: 2.75%
• 6M: 9.57%
• YTD: 11.05%
• 1Y: 19.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 21.37%

BUFI

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.73%
• 6M: 4.26%
• YTD: 6.91%
• 1Y: 14.94%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.45%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	$177.83K	$585.37K	$516.27K
LRGC AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF	$2.39M	$3.10M	$3.93M

LRGC vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LRGC AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF	11.05%	16.23%	-3.25%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	6.91%	16.50%	-1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between LRGC and BUFI is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2024	0.67

The correlation between LRGC and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LRGC vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

LRGC

LRGC Risk / Return Rank: 59
LRGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
LRGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
LRGC Omega Ratio Rank: 60
LRGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
LRGC Martin Ratio Rank: 62

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 72
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
BUFI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
BUFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
BUFI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

LRGC vs. BUFI - 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 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.

	LRGC	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	1.66	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	2.48	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.32	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	2.64	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.84	10.59	-2.75

LRGC vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LRGC Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is comparable to the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LRGC 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

LRGC vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LRGC drawdown since its inception was -19.38%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LRGC and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	LRGC	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.38%	-7.43%	-11.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.00%	-5.69%	-4.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.47%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.14%	-0.84%	-1.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.47%	1.41%	+1.06%

Volatility

LRGC vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF (LRGC) and AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) have volatilities of 3.49% and 3.35%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LRGC	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.49%	3.35%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.94%	7.95%	+1.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.60%	9.04%	+3.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.13%	9.27%	+5.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.13%	9.27%	+5.86%

LRGC vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

LRGC vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

LRGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, 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%
LRGC AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF	0.52%	0.58%	0.46%	0.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LRGC and BUFI in my portfolio?

LRGC and BUFI have a correlation of 0.72, 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 BUFI?

LRGC has higher volatility (3.49%) compared to BUFI (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LRGC dropped -19.38% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, LRGC or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, LRGC leads with 19.31% vs 14.94% for BUFI. On fees, LRGC is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 3.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LRGC or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, LRGC has performed better with a 19.31% return vs 14.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LRGC or BUFI?

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

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

LRGC has the higher dividend yield at 0.52%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between LRGC and BUFI?

LRGC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for LRGC and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.54), 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.