ACEI vs. BUFF
ACEI (Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ACEI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the FTSE Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. ACEI is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Their 0.50 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ACEI charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.
Performance
ACEI vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ACEI achieves a -0.49% return, which is significantly lower than BUFF's 6.26% return.
ACEI
- 1D
- 1.09%
- 1M
- -0.52%
- 6M
- 0.92%
- YTD
- -0.49%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
BUFF
- 1D
- 0.26%
- 1M
- 0.67%
- 6M
- 5.31%
- YTD
- 6.26%
- 1Y
- 12.03%
- 3Y*
- 11.19%
- 5Y*
- 8.65%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 8.63%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $489.67K | $544.80K | $508.18K | |
| $6.70M | $5.20M | $4.32M |
ACEI vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
ACEI Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF | -0.49% | 0.65% |
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF | 6.26% | 2.38% |
Correlation
The correlation between ACEI and BUFF is 0.50, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2025 | 0.50 |
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Return for Risk
ACEI vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank
ACEI
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
BUFF
ACEI vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF (ACEI) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| ACEI | BUFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.42 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 3.15 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 16.12 | — |
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Drawdowns
ACEI vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ACEI drawdown since its inception was -9.30%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACEI and BUFF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ACEI | BUFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -9.30% | -46.23% | +36.93% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -3.58% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -10.24% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -10.24% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.88% | -0.15% | -5.73% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.45% | -6.09% | +3.64% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 0.70% | — |
Volatility
ACEI vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| ACEI | BUFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 1.47% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 4.22% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.56% | 5.31% | +8.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.56% | 8.45% | +5.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.56% | 17.54% | -3.98% |
ACEI vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison
ACEI has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFF's 0.89% expense ratio.
Dividends
ACEI vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison
ACEI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.95%, while BUFF has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACEI Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF | 9.95% | 2.11% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.78% | 1.26% | 1.74% | 1.55% | 0.18% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ACEI and BUFF have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, ACEI is cheaper at 0.79% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
ACEI is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BUFF.
ACEI has the higher dividend yield at 9.95%, compared with 0.00% for BUFF.
ACEI is categorized as Derivative Income, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ACEI and 0.89% for BUFF.
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