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BUFI vs ISEP

AB International Buffer ETF

BUFIBNasdaq

Innovator Intl Developed Power Buffer ETF

ISEPBNYSE Arca

Overlap

Expense ratio

BUFI −0.16pt a year

BUFI0.69%ISEP0.85%

Avg volume · 30D

ISEP 1.9×the volume

BUFI11.8KISEP22.8K

BUFI vs ISEP Performance

Oct 31, 2025 – Oct 30, 2026

+6.5%BUFI+9.2%ISEP

Oct 31, 2025 to Oct 30, 2026. BUFI +6.5%. ISEP +9.2%. Use the arrow keys to read each point.0%2.5%5%12.5%Oct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026
Expense ratio
BUFI 0.69%, better
ISEP 0.85%
Fund size
BUFI $138M
ISEP $106M
1Y total return
BUFI +6.5%
ISEP +9.2%, better
Holdings
BUFI 4
ISEP 3
Avg volume (30D)
BUFI 11.8K sh
ISEP 22.8K sh, better
NAV per share
BUFI $41.81
ISEP $34.89
52W range

ETF.net Grade

BUFI: Cost 84, Risk 42, Mission not scored, Tradability 54, Holdings not scored, Durability 54. ISEP: Cost 38, Risk 52, Mission 62, Tradability 81, Holdings not scored, Durability 70.
Pillar letters and Scores for BUFI, ISEP, with each pillar’s weight
PillarBUFIISEP
Cost30% weightA84HigherD38
Mission25% weightNot scoredB62
Risk15% weightC42C52Higher
Tradability15% weightC54A81Higher
Holdings10% weightNot scoredNot scored
Durability5% weightC54A70Higher

Rank among Developed International Buffer 15% funds

How we build Categories ›
Same Category. Both funds are graded against the same funds, so their Grades compare head to head.

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

Developed International Buffer 15%⁠

Category · 26 funds
See all 26 ›

BUFI ranks 1st and ISEP 7th 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 7CIJUNInnovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - JuneScore 53
  4. Rank 7BISEPInnovator Intl Developed Power Buffer ETFScore 53
  5. Rank 7CQBIVAllianzIM International Equity Buffer5 ETFScore 53

Our read on each fund

ETF.net Research

BUFIBAB International Buffer ETF

ISEPBInnovator Intl Developed Power Buffer ETF

In short

BUFI No data

ISEP Buffers are everywhere on the S&P 500, far rarer overseas. ISEP wraps the big MSCI EAFE developed-markets fund and absorbs the first 15% of losses over a one-year outcome period that resets each September, with upside capped in return.

Stated mandate

BUFI No data

ISEP The fund seeks defined-outcome exposure to the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA), providing upside participation up to a cap while protecting against the first 15% of losses during the annual outcome period.

Why people hold it

BUFI No data

  • ISEP The 15% buffer is written into the fund's own terms, not a hope: it covers the first slice of reference-fund losses across a defined one-year period that resets every September 1.
  • Foreign-stock exposure, not another S&P 500 clone: the reference asset is the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, the standard developed-markets basket outside the US.
  • Fee of 0.85% sits right at the median for developed-market buffer funds and under the 0.90% charged by some funds tracking the same reference (YSEP, YDEC).
  • One of the stronger builds in a crowded 17-fund buffer group, and part of a monthly series on the same reference, so start dates can be laddered across the calendar.

Worth knowing

BUFI No data

  • ISEP The trade for the buffer is a ceiling. The cap is reset each September from option prices at that moment, so how much upside you hand over changes period to period.
  • Buying mid-period is a different deal than buying at the reset: how much buffer and cap remain depends on where the reference fund has moved since September 1.
  • Trading is thin next to plain index funds, so spreads can be wider and patient limit orders matter more, especially in size.

Full BUFI profile⁠

Full ISEP profile⁠

BUFI vs ISEP 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 ISEP Cost

Overpaying ISEP vs BUFI

$2,770

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

  • BUFI 0.69%

    $13,429

  • ISEP 0.85%

    $16,199

$10,000
30 years

Cost over time

  • BUFI 0.69%
  • ISEP 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$20K051015202530ISEP $16,199BUFI $13,429

Year by year

YearBUFIISEPOverpaying
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%ISEP
  • Middle half of Developed International Buffer 15% funds
  • Median 0.85%

BUFI 5th cheapest of 26 funds

ISEP 11th cheapest of 26 funds

BUFI vs ISEP Dividends

Last 12 months to Oct 30, 2026
Payout (12M)
BUFI None
ISEP None

Distribution history

BUFIAll BUFI payments⁠

No distribution history available.

ISEPAll ISEP payments⁠

No distribution history available.

BUFI vs ISEP 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 2025ISEP 7.6%
Return per unit of riskSharpe ratio, 3 years
BUFI 1.21since Jan 2025ISEP 1.09
Worst fallMax drawdown, 5 years
BUFI −7.4%since Dec 2024ISEP −7.4%since Sep 2023Same figure. Both funds show the same value, so neither comes out ahead.
Market sensitivityBeta, 5 years
BUFI 0.24ISEP 0.36

Popular comparisons

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    Expense ratio
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