APOC vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

APOC (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 6 Mo Apr/Oct) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. APOC is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past year, APOC returned 3.12% vs 14.44% for BUFF. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. APOC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

APOC vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 6 Mo Apr/Oct (APOC) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APOC achieves a 0.12% return, which is significantly lower than BUFF's 5.42% return.

APOC

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 0.12%
• 6M: 0.15%
• 1Y: 3.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 5.42%
• 6M: 5.44%
• 1Y: 14.44%
• 3Y*: 12.10%
• 5Y*: 8.63%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

APOC vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
APOC Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 6 Mo Apr/Oct	0.12%	2.90%	1.01%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	1.79%

Correlation

The correlation between APOC and BUFF is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2024	0.67

The correlation between APOC and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

APOC vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

APOC

APOC Risk / Return Rank: 33
APOC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
APOC Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
APOC Omega Ratio Rank: 45
APOC Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
APOC Martin Ratio Rank: 29

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 89
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

APOC vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 6 Mo Apr/Oct (APOC) 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.

	APOC	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	2.76	-1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	4.16	-2.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.57	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.92	4.05	-3.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.92	21.13	-17.21

APOC vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APOC Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is lower than the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APOC and BUFF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

APOC vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APOC drawdown since its inception was -4.17%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APOC and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	APOC	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.17%	-46.23%	+42.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.40%	-3.58%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.24%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-0.27%	-0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.84%	-6.15%	+5.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.80%	0.68%	+0.12%

Volatility

APOC vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 6 Mo Apr/Oct (APOC) is 0.39%, while Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) has a volatility of 1.66%. This indicates that APOC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APOC	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.39%	1.66%	-1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.39%	4.08%	-1.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.64%	5.26%	-2.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.99%	8.44%	-5.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.99%	17.63%	-14.64%

APOC vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

APOC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFF's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

APOC vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither APOC nor BUFF has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
APOC Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 6 Mo Apr/Oct	0.00%	0.00%	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

Can I hold both APOC and BUFF in my portfolio?

APOC and BUFF have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, APOC or BUFF?

BUFF has higher volatility (1.66%) compared to APOC (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APOC dropped -4.17% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, APOC or BUFF?

On 1-year performance, BUFF leads with 14.44% vs 3.12% for APOC. On fees, APOC is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, APOC has been the lower-risk option at 0.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, APOC or BUFF?

Over the 1-year period, BUFF has performed better with a 14.44% return vs 3.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, APOC or BUFF?

APOC is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BUFF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, APOC or BUFF?

APOC and BUFF have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between APOC and BUFF?

Their fees differ too: 0.79% for APOC and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 1.19), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.