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BUFC vs QBSF

AB Conservative Buffer ETF

BUFCBNasdaq

AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 ETF

QBSFCCboe

Overlap

Expense ratio

QBSF −0.05pt a year

BUFC0.69%QBSF0.64%

Avg volume · 30D

BUFC 2.5×the volume

BUFC49.5KQBSF19.9K

BUFC vs QBSF Performance

Oct 31, 2025 – Oct 30, 2026

+5.8%BUFC+6.3%QBSF

Oct 31, 2025 to Oct 30, 2026. BUFC +5.8%. QBSF +6.3%. Use the arrow keys to read each point.−2%0%2%4%Oct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026
Expense ratio
BUFC 0.69%
QBSF 0.64%, better
Fund size
BUFC $1.11B
QBSF $68M
1Y total return
BUFC +5.8%
QBSF +6.3%, better
Holdings
BUFC 4
QBSF 3
Avg volume (30D)
BUFC 49.5K sh, better
QBSF 19.9K sh
NAV per share
BUFC $43.25
QBSF $27.61
52W range

ETF.net Grade

BUFC: Cost 57, Risk 41, Mission not scored, Tradability 62, Holdings not scored, Durability 74. QBSF: Cost 58, Risk 65, Mission not scored, Tradability 46, Holdings 46, Durability 35.
Pillar letters and Scores for BUFC, QBSF, with each pillar’s weight
PillarBUFCQBSF
Cost30% weightB57B58Higher
Mission25% weightNot scoredNot scored
Risk15% weightC41B65Higher
Tradability15% weightB62HigherC46
Holdings10% weightNot scoredC46
Durability5% weightA74HigherD35

Rank among S&P 500 Buffer 15% funds

Same Category. Both funds are graded against the same funds, so their Grades compare head to head.

Same Category. BUFC and QBSF are both graded against the same 51 S&P 500 Buffer 15% funds, so their Grades compare head to head.

S&P 500 Buffer 15%⁠

Category · 51 funds
See all 51 ›

BUFC ranks 4th and QBSF 6th of 51 funds in the S&P 500 Buffer 15% Category.

  1. Rank 1BPSMOPacer Swan SOS Moderate (October) ETFScore 64
  2. Rank 2BPSMJPacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETFScore 59
  3. Rank 3BPSMRPacer Swan SOS Moderate (April) ETFScore 57
  4. Rank 4BBUFCAB Conservative Buffer ETFScore 55
  5. Rank 4CPOCTInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETFScore 55
  6. Rank 6BPSEPInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETFScore 54
  7. Rank 6CQBSFAllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 ETFScore 54
  8. Rank 8CPAUGInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - AugustScore 52

Our read on each fund

ETF.net Research

BUFCBAB Conservative Buffer ETF

QBSFCAllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 ETF

In short

BUFC Most buffer funds lock you into a 12-month outcome period. BUFC resets every three months, targeting 15% downside protection against the S&P 500 with roughly 3% of the upside per period. Deep cushion, short leash.

QBSF No data

Stated mandate

BUFC The Fund is an actively managed equity ETF seeking conservative capital appreciation with potential partial downside protection. It uses options to establish an upside cap and downside protection over rolling three-month periods, targeting 15% downside protection and about 3% upside participation to the S&P 500.

QBSF No data

Why people hold it

  • BUFC Uses options to target 15% downside protection against the S&P 500 over rolling three-month periods, so the cushion resets four times a year instead of once.alliancebernstein.com
  • At 0.69%, it costs less than Innovator's 0.79% Power Buffer funds (PJUL, PJAN, POCT) and less than the typical fund in its buffer cohort.
  • Actively managed rather than pinned to a calendar index series, running since 2023, and among the stronger implementations in its buffer peer group.

QBSF No data

Worth knowing

  • BUFC The price of that deep cushion: upside participation is targeted near 3% per three-month period, so big rallies mostly pass you by.
  • Protection is partial and period-based. Losses past the targeted 15% pass through, and buying mid-period shifts your effective buffer and cap.alliancebernstein.com
  • Thinly traded for its size, so spreads and limit orders deserve attention.

QBSF No data

Full BUFC profile⁠

Full QBSF profile⁠

BUFC vs QBSF Holdings

How we measure overlap

Each holding counts at its smaller weight in the two funds, summed over the full Holdings. Sector, country and asset class use the same rule on each fund’s split. Cash, FX and derivative lines stay out of the counts. Two bond funds get no overlap figure.

BUFC vs QBSF Cost

Overpaying BUFC vs QBSF

$891

On $10,000 over 30 years. 7% growth a year before fees, expense ratio only.

  • BUFC 0.69%

    $13,429

  • QBSF 0.64%

    $12,538

$10,000
30 years

Cost over time

  • BUFC 0.69%
  • QBSF 0.64%
  • Overpaying
One line per fund, from year 0 to year 30. Use the arrow keys to read each point.$0$5K$10K$15K051015202530BUFC $13,429QBSF $12,538

Year by year

YearBUFCQBSFOverpaying
10$1,232$1,145$87
20$4,697$4,375$322
30$13,429$12,538$891

Expense ratio

  • 0.69%BUFC
  • 0.64%QBSF, cheaper
  • Middle half of S&P 500 Buffer 15% funds
  • Median 0.79%

QBSF 16th cheapest of 51 funds

BUFC 17th cheapest of 51 funds

BUFC vs QBSF Dividends

Last 12 months to Oct 30, 2026
Payout (12M)
BUFC None
QBSF None

Distribution history

BUFCAll BUFC payments⁠

No distribution history available.

QBSFAll QBSF payments⁠

No distribution history available.

BUFC vs QBSF Risk

Fall from peak · 5 years

This chart needs five years of history for both funds.

Risk facts

VolatilityStd dev, 3 years
BUFC 3.4%since Jan 2024QBSF 2.3%since Aug 2025
Return per unit of riskSharpe ratio, 3 years
BUFC 0.82since Jan 2024QBSF 1.35since Aug 2025
Worst fallMax drawdown, 5 years
BUFC −8.3%since Dec 2023QBSF −1.6%since Jul 2025
Market sensitivityBeta, 5 years
BUFC 0.26QBSF 0.15

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