TAFI vs. BUFM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TAFI (AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF) and BUFM (AB Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TAFI is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while BUFM is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TAFI returned 4.14% vs 13.06% for BUFM. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TAFI charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFM.

Performance

TAFI vs. BUFM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF (TAFI) and AB Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TAFI achieves a 1.11% return, which is significantly lower than BUFM's 3.85% return.

TAFI

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.11%
• 6M: 1.46%
• 1Y: 4.14%
• 3Y*: 3.68%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFM

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 2.20%
• YTD: 3.85%
• 6M: 4.59%
• 1Y: 13.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TAFI vs. BUFM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
TAFI AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF	1.11%	4.35%	-0.45%
BUFM AB Moderate Buffer ETF	3.85%	12.94%	-1.10%

Correlation

The correlation between TAFI and BUFM is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.18

Return for Risk

TAFI vs. BUFM — Risk / Return Rank

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

TAFI

TAFI Risk / Return Rank: 80
TAFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
TAFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
TAFI Omega Ratio Rank: 91
TAFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
TAFI Martin Ratio Rank: 65

BUFM

BUFM Risk / Return Rank: 67
BUFM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
BUFM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
BUFM Omega Ratio Rank: 70
BUFM Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
BUFM Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

TAFI vs. BUFM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF (TAFI) and AB Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFM). 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.

	TAFI	BUFM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.84	2.27	+0.56
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.57	3.15	+1.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.43	+0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	3.26	+0.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.99	12.07	-0.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TAFI vs. BUFM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TAFI Sharpe Ratio is 2.84, which is comparable to the BUFM Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TAFI and BUFM, 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

	TAFI	BUFM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.84	2.27	+0.56
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.72	1.13	+0.58

Drawdowns

TAFI vs. BUFM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAFI drawdown since its inception was -2.00%, smaller than the maximum BUFM drawdown of -9.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAFI and BUFM.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAFI	BUFM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.00%	-9.43%	+7.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.21%	-4.07%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	0.00%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.38%	-0.99%	+0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	1.10%	-0.76%

Volatility

TAFI vs. BUFM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF (TAFI) is 0.46%, while AB Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFM) has a volatility of 1.04%. This indicates that TAFI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TAFI	BUFM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.46%	1.04%	-0.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.95%	4.37%	-3.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47%	5.77%	-4.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.98%	9.44%	-7.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.98%	9.44%	-7.46%

TAFI vs. BUFM - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAFI has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFM's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

TAFI vs. BUFM - Dividend Comparison

TAFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.15%, while BUFM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUFM AB Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TAFI AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF	3.15%	3.21%	3.34%	3.27%	0.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAFI and BUFM in my portfolio?

TAFI and BUFM have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TAFI or BUFM?

BUFM has higher volatility (1.04%) compared to TAFI (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAFI dropped -2.00% vs BUFM's -9.43%.

Which ETF is better, TAFI or BUFM?

On 1-year performance, BUFM leads with 13.06% vs 4.14% for TAFI. On fees, TAFI is cheaper at 0.27% per year. On volatility, TAFI has been the lower-risk option at 0.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TAFI or BUFM?

Over the 1-year period, BUFM has performed better with a 13.06% return vs 4.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TAFI or BUFM?

TAFI is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TAFI or BUFM?

TAFI has the higher dividend yield at 3.15%, compared with 0.00% for BUFM.

What is the main difference between TAFI and BUFM?

TAFI is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while BUFM is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for TAFI and 0.69% for BUFM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TAFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 2.27), 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.