TPIF vs. BUFI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

TPIF (Timothy Plan International ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TPIF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Victory International Volatility Weighted BRI Index, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. TPIF is passively managed, while BUFI is actively managed. Over the past year, TPIF returned 23.04% vs 14.94% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. TPIF charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

TPIF vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Timothy Plan International ETF (TPIF) 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, TPIF achieves a 11.59% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 6.91% return.

TPIF

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 1.47%
• 6M: 5.91%
• YTD: 11.59%
• 1Y: 23.04%
• 3Y*: 17.90%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.47%

BUFI

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.73%
• 6M: 4.26%
• YTD: 6.91%
• 1Y: 14.94%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.45%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	$177.83K	$585.37K	$516.27K
TPIF Timothy Plan International ETF	$1.01M	$1.05M	$1.25M

TPIF vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
TPIF Timothy Plan International ETF	11.59%	34.34%	-3.90%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	6.91%	16.50%	-1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between TPIF and BUFI is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2024	0.91

The correlation between TPIF and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TPIF vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

TPIF

TPIF Risk / Return Rank: 64
TPIF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
TPIF Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
TPIF Omega Ratio Rank: 65
TPIF Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
TPIF Martin Ratio Rank: 68

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 72
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
BUFI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
BUFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
BUFI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

TPIF vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Timothy Plan International ETF (TPIF) 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.

	TPIF	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	1.66	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	2.48	-0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.32	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.27	2.64	-0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.65	10.59	-1.94

TPIF vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TPIF Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TPIF 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.

Drawdowns

TPIF vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TPIF drawdown since its inception was -34.02%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TPIF and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	TPIF	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.02%	-7.43%	-26.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.19%	-5.69%	-4.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.68%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.11%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-0.47%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.81%	-0.84%	-6.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	1.41%	+1.26%

Volatility

TPIF vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Timothy Plan International ETF (TPIF) has a higher volatility of 4.06% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 3.35%. This indicates that TPIF'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

	TPIF	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.06%	3.35%	+0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.59%	7.95%	+4.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.44%	9.04%	+5.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.78%	9.27%	+6.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.23%	9.27%	+8.96%

TPIF vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

TPIF has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

TPIF vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

TPIF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TPIF Timothy Plan International ETF	2.68%	2.65%	2.98%	2.40%	2.58%	2.38%	1.72%	0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TPIF and BUFI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, TPIF and BUFI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, TPIF or BUFI?

TPIF has higher volatility (4.06%) compared to BUFI (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TPIF dropped -34.02% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, TPIF or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, TPIF leads with 23.04% vs 14.94% for BUFI. On fees, TPIF is cheaper at 0.62% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 3.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TPIF or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, TPIF has performed better with a 23.04% return vs 14.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TPIF or BUFI?

TPIF is cheaper with a 0.62% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

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

TPIF has the higher dividend yield at 2.68%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between TPIF and BUFI?

TPIF is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Timothy Plan and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for TPIF and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.61), 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.