MOTI vs. BUFI
MOTI (VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MOTI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global ex-US Moat Focus Index, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. MOTI is passively managed, while BUFI is actively managed. Over the past year, MOTI returned -1.05% vs 12.33% for BUFI. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MOTI charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.
Performance
MOTI vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MOTI achieves a -10.36% return, which is significantly lower than BUFI's 4.95% return.
MOTI
- 1D
- -0.48%
- 1M
- -5.79%
- YTD
- -10.36%
- 6M
- -10.04%
- 1Y
- -1.05%
- 3Y*
- 5.51%
- 5Y*
- 1.61%
- 10Y*
- 6.45%
BUFI
- 1D
- -0.13%
- 1M
- 0.21%
- YTD
- 4.95%
- 6M
- 4.82%
- 1Y
- 12.33%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
MOTI vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
MOTI VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF | -10.36% | 25.01% | -5.39% |
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF | 4.95% | 16.50% | -1.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between MOTI and BUFI 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 10, 2024 | 0.73 |
The correlation between MOTI and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
MOTI vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank
MOTI
BUFI
MOTI vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) 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.
| MOTI | BUFI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.51 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.28 | -0.28 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.07 | 2.18 | -2.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.16 | 8.65 | -8.81 |
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Drawdowns
MOTI vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MOTI drawdown since its inception was -36.70%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOTI and BUFI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MOTI | BUFI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.70% | -7.43% | -29.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.61% | -5.69% | -9.92% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.35% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.77% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.70% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -15.61% | -1.08% | -14.53% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.15% | -0.84% | -8.31% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.51% | 1.43% | +5.08% |
Volatility
MOTI vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) has a higher volatility of 3.06% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.38%. This indicates that MOTI'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.
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Volatility by Period
| MOTI | BUFI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.06% | 2.38% | +0.68% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.08% | 7.33% | +3.75% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.41% | 8.62% | +5.79% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.54% | 9.15% | +8.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.82% | 9.15% | +8.67% |
MOTI vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison
MOTI has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.
Dividends
MOTI vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison
MOTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.60%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% | 0.00% |
MOTI VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF | 3.60% | 3.22% | 4.79% | 2.34% | 3.27% | 4.67% | 2.14% | 3.90% | 3.73% | 8.87% | 1.33% | 0.84% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MOTI and BUFI 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.
MOTI has higher volatility (3.06%) compared to BUFI (2.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOTI dropped -36.70% vs BUFI's -7.43%.
On 1-year performance, BUFI leads with 12.33% vs -1.05% for MOTI. On fees, MOTI is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, BUFI has performed better with a 12.33% return vs -1.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MOTI is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.
MOTI has the higher dividend yield at 3.60%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.
MOTI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for MOTI and 0.69% for BUFI.
BUFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs -0.07), 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.
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