TXUE vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TXUE (Thornburg International Equity ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TXUE is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Thornburg, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TXUE returned 20.99% vs 12.71% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TXUE charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

TXUE vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Thornburg International Equity ETF (TXUE) 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, TXUE achieves a 11.09% return, which is significantly higher than BUFI's 5.24% return.

TXUE

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 2.88%
• YTD: 11.09%
• 6M: 12.91%
• 1Y: 20.99%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFI

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 5.24%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 12.71%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TXUE vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TXUE Thornburg International Equity ETF	11.09%	25.67%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	5.24%	14.67%

Correlation

The correlation between TXUE and BUFI is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2025	0.89

The correlation between TXUE and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TXUE vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

TXUE

TXUE Risk / Return Rank: 43
TXUE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
TXUE Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
TXUE Omega Ratio Rank: 43
TXUE Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
TXUE Martin Ratio Rank: 44

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 47
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
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.

TXUE vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	TXUE	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	1.52	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.13	2.23	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.29	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	2.24	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.03	8.92	-1.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TXUE vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TXUE Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TXUE 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

	TXUE	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.52	1.52	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.69	1.52	+0.17

Drawdowns

TXUE vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TXUE drawdown since its inception was -12.97%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TXUE and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	TXUE	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.97%	-7.43%	-5.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	-5.69%	-5.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-0.02%	-0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.83%	-0.85%	-0.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	1.43%	+1.56%

Volatility

TXUE vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Thornburg International Equity ETF (TXUE) has a higher volatility of 4.32% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.16%. This indicates that TXUE'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

	TXUE	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.32%	2.16%	+2.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.48%	7.05%	+4.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.91%	8.43%	+5.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.51%	9.14%	+7.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.51%	9.14%	+7.37%

TXUE vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

TXUE has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

TXUE vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

TXUE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%
TXUE Thornburg International Equity ETF	0.97%	1.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TXUE and BUFI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, TXUE 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, TXUE or BUFI?

TXUE has higher volatility (4.32%) compared to BUFI (2.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TXUE dropped -12.97% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, TXUE or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, TXUE leads with 20.99% vs 12.71% for BUFI. On fees, TXUE is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TXUE or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, TXUE has performed better with a 20.99% return vs 12.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TXUE or BUFI?

TXUE is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

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

TXUE has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between TXUE and BUFI?

TXUE is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Thornburg and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for TXUE and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.52), 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.