TLTE vs. BUFI
TLTE (FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TLTE is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. TLTE is passively managed, while BUFI is actively managed. Over the past year, TLTE returned 39.95% vs 13.19% for BUFI. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TLTE charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.
Performance
TLTE vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TLTE achieves a 20.12% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 5.09% return.
TLTE
- 1D
- -5.06%
- 1M
- 0.90%
- YTD
- 20.12%
- 6M
- 20.98%
- 1Y
- 39.95%
- 3Y*
- 21.14%
- 5Y*
- 7.23%
- 10Y*
- 9.47%
BUFI
- 1D
- -0.95%
- 1M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 5.09%
- 6M
- 5.03%
- 1Y
- 13.19%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
TLTE vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
TLTE FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index | 20.12% | 30.21% | -4.81% |
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF | 5.09% | 16.50% | -1.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between TLTE and BUFI is 0.76, 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 | 0.76 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2024 | 0.73 |
The correlation between TLTE and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TLTE vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank
TLTE
BUFI
TLTE vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index (TLTE) 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.
| TLTE | BUFI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.37 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.30 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.08 | 2.33 | +0.75 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.60 | 9.26 | +2.34 |
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Drawdowns
TLTE vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TLTE drawdown since its inception was -44.21%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLTE and BUFI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TLTE | BUFI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -44.21% | -7.43% | -36.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.04% | -5.69% | -7.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.43% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.65% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.21% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.06% | -0.95% | -4.11% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.12% | -0.84% | -11.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.45% | 1.43% | +2.02% |
Volatility
TLTE vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison
FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index (TLTE) has a higher volatility of 11.78% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.37%. This indicates that TLTE'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
| TLTE | BUFI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.78% | 2.37% | +9.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.21% | 7.33% | +11.88% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.00% | 8.62% | +12.38% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.45% | 9.16% | +8.29% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.60% | 9.16% | +9.44% |
TLTE vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison
TLTE has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.
Dividends
TLTE vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison
TLTE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, 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% |
TLTE FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index | 3.26% | 3.76% | 3.73% | 4.03% | 4.42% | 3.21% | 1.95% | 3.23% | 3.02% | 2.12% | 2.30% | 2.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
TLTE and BUFI have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TLTE has higher volatility (11.78%) compared to BUFI (2.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLTE dropped -44.21% vs BUFI's -7.43%.
On 1-year performance, TLTE leads with 39.95% vs 13.19% for BUFI. On fees, TLTE is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, TLTE has performed better with a 39.95% return vs 13.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
TLTE is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.
TLTE has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.
TLTE is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for TLTE and 0.69% for BUFI.
TLTE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 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.
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