Skip to content

BUFI vs IMAY

AB International Buffer ETF

BUFIBNasdaq

Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - May

IMAYCNYSE Arca

Overlap

Expense ratio

BUFI −0.16pt a year

BUFI0.69%IMAY0.85%

Avg volume · 30D

BUFI 2.2×the volume

BUFI11.8KIMAY5.41K

BUFI vs IMAY Performance

Oct 31, 2025 – Nov 2, 2026

+6.6%BUFI+9.2%IMAY

Oct 31, 2025 to Nov 2, 2026. BUFI +6.6%. IMAY +9.2%. Use the arrow keys to read each point.0%2.5%5%12.5%Oct 2025May 2026Nov 2026
Expense ratio
BUFI 0.69%, better
IMAY 0.85%
Fund size
BUFI $137M
IMAY $50M
1Y total return
BUFI +6.6%
IMAY +9.2%, better
Holdings
BUFI 4
IMAY 3
Avg volume (30D)
BUFI 11.8K sh, better
IMAY 5.41K sh
NAV per share
BUFI $41.81
IMAY $31.72
52W range

ETF.net Grade

BUFI: Cost 84, Risk 42, Mission not scored, Tradability 54, Holdings not scored, Durability 54. IMAY: Cost 38, Risk 65, Mission not scored, Tradability 46, Holdings not scored, Durability 48.
Pillar letters and Scores for BUFI, IMAY, with each pillar’s weight
PillarBUFIIMAY
Cost30% weightA84HigherD38
Mission25% weightNot scoredNot scored
Risk15% weightC42B65Higher
Tradability15% weightC54HigherC46
Holdings10% weightNot scoredNot scored
Durability5% weightC54HigherC48

Rank among Developed International Buffer 15% funds

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

Same Category. BUFI and IMAY are both graded against the same 26 Developed International Buffer 15% funds, so their Grades compare head to head.

See all 26 ›

BUFI ranks 1st and IMAY 13th of 26 funds in the Developed International Buffer 15% Category.

  1. Rank 1BBUFIAB International Buffer ETFScore 65
  2. Rank 2BQBIFAllianzIM International Equity Buffer15 ETFScore 63
  3. Rank 13CIFEBInnovator Intl Developed Power Buffer ETFScore 46
  4. Rank 13CIMAYInnovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - MayScore 46
  5. Rank 15CIDECInnovator Intl Developed Power Buffer ETFScore 45

Our read on each fund

ETF.net Research

BUFIBAB International Buffer ETF

IMAYCInnovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - May

In short

BUFI No data

IMAY Most buffer ETFs hedge the S&P 500. This one aims the same machinery at developed international stocks: the first 15% of the underlying ETF's price decline absorbed over a May-to-April year, in exchange for a capped upside.

Stated mandate

BUFI No data

IMAY The fund seeks to track the return of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA), subject to a predetermined cap, while protecting against the first 15% of losses during the outcome period.

Why people hold it

BUFI No data

  • IMAY The prospectus spells out the trade upfront: first 15% of the underlying ETF's price decline absorbed, upside capped, period running May 1 to April 30, then a new period starts instead of the fund closing.sec.gov
  • At 0.85% a year it sits right at the median for international buffer funds, and it ranks among the stronger implementations in that peer group.
  • The payoff is built from FLEX options on the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, cleared through the Options Clearing Corporation rather than resting on one bank's structured note.sec.gov
  • One rung of a 12-month ladder: Innovator runs this same EAFE strategy with a start month for every month of the year (IMAR, IAPR, IJUL and the rest), so entries can be staggered.

Worth knowing

BUFI No data

  • IMAY Upside stops at the cap set for each period, so a strong year in developed markets leaves gains on the table.sec.gov
  • The 15% buffer is measured before fees, and the 0.85% management fee trims what you keep. Buy mid-period and you inherit whatever buffer and cap remain, not the headline pair.sec.gov
  • Outcomes track the underlying ETF's price only, so its dividends don't flow through and the fund isn't a source of regular income. Shares also trade lightly, so spreads deserve a look.sec.gov

Full BUFI profile⁠

Full IMAY profile⁠

BUFI vs IMAY 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.

BUFI vs IMAY Cost

Overpaying IMAY vs BUFI

$2,770

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

  • BUFI 0.69%

    $13,429

  • IMAY 0.85%

    $16,199

$10,000
30 years

Cost over time

  • BUFI 0.69%
  • IMAY 0.85%
  • Overpaying
One line per fund, from year 0 to year 30. Use the arrow keys to read each point.$0$5K$10K$15K$20K051015202530IMAY $16,199BUFI $13,429

Year by year

YearBUFIIMAYOverpaying
10$1,232$1,508$276
20$4,697$5,706$1,009
30$13,429$16,199$2,770

Expense ratio

  • 0.69%BUFI, cheaper
  • 0.85%IMAY
  • Middle half of Developed International Buffer 15% funds
  • Median 0.85%

BUFI 5th cheapest of 26 funds

IMAY 11th cheapest of 26 funds

BUFI vs IMAY Dividends

Last 12 months to Nov 2, 2026
Payout (12M)
BUFI None
IMAY None

Distribution history

BUFIAll BUFI payments⁠

No distribution history available.

IMAYAll IMAY payments⁠

No distribution history available.

BUFI vs IMAY Risk

Fall from peak · 5 years

This chart needs five years of history for both funds.

Risk facts

VolatilityStd dev, 3 years
BUFI 5.7%since Jan 2025IMAY 6.3%since Jun 2024
Return per unit of riskSharpe ratio, 3 years
BUFI 1.21since Jan 2025IMAY 0.76since Jun 2024
Worst fallMax drawdown, 5 years
BUFI −7.4%since Dec 2024IMAY −9.4%since May 2024
Market sensitivityBeta, 5 years
BUFI 0.24IMAY 0.24Same figure. Both funds show the same value, so neither comes out ahead.

Popular comparisons

  • BUFIBvsQBIFB

    AB International Buffer ETF · AllianzIM International Equity Buffer15 ETF

    Expense ratio
    0.69% · 0.74%
    Category
    Same Category. Both funds are graded against the same funds, so their Grades compare head to head.
  • IMAYCvsQBIFB

    Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - May · AllianzIM International Equity Buffer15 ETF

    Expense ratio
    0.85% · 0.74%
    Category
    Same Category. Both funds are graded against the same funds, so their Grades compare head to head.
  • BUFIBvsIAUGB

    AB International Buffer ETF · Innovator Intl Developed Power Buffer ETF

    Expense ratio
    0.69% · 0.85%
    Category
    Same Category. Both funds are graded against the same funds, so their Grades compare head to head.
  • IMAYCvsIAUGB

    Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - May · Innovator Intl Developed Power Buffer ETF

    Expense ratio
    0.85% · 0.85%
    Category
    Same Category. Both funds are graded against the same funds, so their Grades compare head to head.
  • BUFIBvsIJULB

    AB International Buffer ETF · Innovator Intl Developed Power Buffer ETF

    Expense ratio
    0.69% · 0.85%
    Category
    Same Category. Both funds are graded against the same funds, so their Grades compare head to head.
  • IMAYCvsIJULB

    Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - May · Innovator Intl Developed Power Buffer ETF

    Expense ratio
    0.85% · 0.85%
    Category
    Same Category. Both funds are graded against the same funds, so their Grades compare head to head.