PJIO vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PJIO (PGIM Jennison International Opportunities ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PJIO is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by PGIM, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PJIO returned 10.77% vs 12.80% for BUFI. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PJIO charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

PJIO vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison International Opportunities ETF (PJIO) 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, PJIO achieves a 9.45% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 4.92% return.

PJIO

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 9.29%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 6M: 7.89%
• 1Y: 10.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFI

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 1.83%
• YTD: 4.92%
• 6M: 6.32%
• 1Y: 12.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PJIO vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PJIO PGIM Jennison International Opportunities ETF	9.45%	17.75%	-4.52%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	4.92%	16.50%	-1.31%

Correlation

The correlation between PJIO and BUFI is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.77

The correlation between PJIO and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PJIO vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

PJIO

PJIO Risk / Return Rank: 17
PJIO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
PJIO Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
PJIO Omega Ratio Rank: 18
PJIO Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
PJIO Martin Ratio Rank: 18

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 47
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
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.

PJIO vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison International Opportunities ETF (PJIO) 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.

	PJIO	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.50	1.53	-1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.88	2.25	-1.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.30	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.56	2.26	-1.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.81	8.98	-7.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PJIO vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PJIO Sharpe Ratio is 0.50, which is lower than the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PJIO 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

	PJIO	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50	1.53	-1.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	1.50	-0.88

Drawdowns

PJIO vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PJIO drawdown since its inception was -19.26%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PJIO and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PJIO	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.26%	-7.43%	-11.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.26%	-5.69%	-13.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.00%	-0.32%	-0.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.27%	-0.86%	-3.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.95%	1.43%	+4.52%

Volatility

PJIO vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison International Opportunities ETF (PJIO) has a higher volatility of 9.10% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.20%. This indicates that PJIO'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

	PJIO	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.10%	2.20%	+6.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.76%	7.05%	+11.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.52%	8.43%	+13.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.71%	9.15%	+11.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.71%	9.15%	+11.56%

PJIO vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

PJIO has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

PJIO vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

PJIO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PJIO PGIM Jennison International Opportunities ETF	0.17%	0.19%	0.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PJIO and BUFI in my portfolio?

PJIO and BUFI have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PJIO or BUFI?

PJIO has higher volatility (9.10%) compared to BUFI (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PJIO dropped -19.26% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, PJIO or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, BUFI leads with 12.80% vs 10.77% for PJIO. On fees, BUFI is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PJIO or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, BUFI has performed better with a 12.80% return vs 10.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PJIO or BUFI?

BUFI is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for PJIO.

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

PJIO has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between PJIO and BUFI?

PJIO is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for PJIO and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.50), 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.