AB Conservative Buffer ETF (BUFC) Performance
BUFC total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +4.8% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +6.1% total return
- Since first price
- +23.0% since 2023
BUFC trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | BUFC total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −0.2% | −0.2% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +1.7% | +1.7% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +3.7% | +3.7% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +4.8% | +4.8% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +6.1% | +6.1% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionDec 13, 2023 | +23.0% | +23.0% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: BUFC vs SPY
From Dec 13, 2023: BUFC grew to $12,304, SPY to $16,749.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
BUFC returns by calendar year
2 of 2 full years positive. Best 2024 (+10.8%), worst 2025 (+5.5%). 2026 is year to date.
BUFC annual returns table
| Year | BUFC | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +4.8% | −3.6% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +5.5% | −8.3% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +10.8% | −2.2% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
BUFC risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2023 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +7.6% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.5% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.93 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.56 |
| Best month | +3.2% |
| Worst month | −1.4% |
| Best 12 months | +11.1% |
| Worst 12 months | +4.6% |
| Positive months | 82% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
BUFC rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 23 | +4.6% | +5.9% | +11.1% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2023. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
BUFC performance overview
AB Conservative Buffer ETF (BUFC) returned +6.1% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Dec 13, 2023 it has returned +23.0%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
Related: BUFC chart. See the BUFC overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
BUFC performance FAQ
What is the BUFC return over the past year?
BUFC returned +6.1% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 6.1%.
How much would $10,000 invested in BUFC be worth?
$10,000 invested in BUFC at its first recorded close on December 13, 2023 would be worth about $12,304 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for BUFC?
The worst calendar year was 2025, with a total return of +5.5%. The best was 2024 at +10.8%.
How volatile is BUFC?
Over the past history BUFC had an annualized volatility of 3.5% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.93 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).