TLCI vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TLCI (Touchstone International Equity ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TLCI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Touchstone, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TLCI returned -0.25% vs 12.80% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TLCI charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

TLCI vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Touchstone International Equity ETF (TLCI) 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, TLCI achieves a -0.42% return, which is significantly lower than BUFI's 4.92% return.

TLCI

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 3.50%
• YTD: -0.42%
• 6M: -0.07%
• 1Y: -0.25%
• 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)

TLCI vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TLCI Touchstone International Equity ETF	-0.42%	3.99%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	4.92%	10.58%

Correlation

The correlation between TLCI and BUFI is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2025	0.85

The correlation between TLCI and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLCI vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLCI

TLCI Risk / Return Rank: 9
TLCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
TLCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
TLCI Omega Ratio Rank: 9
TLCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
TLCI Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

TLCI vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Touchstone International Equity ETF (TLCI) 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.

	TLCI	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.02	1.53	-1.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.07	2.25	-2.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.30	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	2.26	-2.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.06	8.98	-9.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLCI vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLCI Sharpe Ratio is -0.02, which is lower than the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLCI 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

	TLCI	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02	1.53	-1.55
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	1.50	-1.31

Drawdowns

TLCI vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLCI drawdown since its inception was -12.15%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLCI and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLCI	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.15%	-7.43%	-4.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.83%	-5.69%	-6.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.37%	-0.32%	-4.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.84%	-0.86%	-1.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	1.43%	+2.39%

Volatility

TLCI vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Touchstone International Equity ETF (TLCI) has a higher volatility of 4.07% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.20%. This indicates that TLCI'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

	TLCI	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.07%	2.20%	+1.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.97%	7.05%	+3.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.22%	8.43%	+4.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.75%	9.15%	+6.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.75%	9.15%	+6.60%

TLCI vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLCI has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLCI vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

TLCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%
TLCI Touchstone International Equity ETF	0.60%	0.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLCI and BUFI in my portfolio?

TLCI and BUFI have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLCI or BUFI?

TLCI has higher volatility (4.07%) compared to BUFI (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLCI dropped -12.15% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, TLCI or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, BUFI leads with 12.80% vs -0.25% for TLCI. On fees, TLCI is cheaper at 0.37% 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, TLCI or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, BUFI has performed better with a 12.80% return vs -0.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TLCI or BUFI?

TLCI is cheaper with a 0.37% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

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

TLCI has the higher dividend yield at 0.60%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between TLCI and BUFI?

TLCI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Touchstone and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for TLCI and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs -0.02), 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.