BALT vs. BUFB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALT (Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF) and BUFB (Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - BALT tracks the S&P 500 while BUFB tracks the MerQube U.S. Large Cap Equity Buffer Laddered Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BALT returned 7.27%/yr vs 15.74%/yr for BUFB. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BALT charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFB.

Performance

BALT vs. BUFB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF (BUFB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALT achieves a 1.91% return, which is significantly lower than BUFB's 7.03% return.

BALT

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 1.91%
• 6M: 2.81%
• 1Y: 6.95%
• 3Y*: 7.27%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFB

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 2.46%
• YTD: 7.03%
• 6M: 7.78%
• 1Y: 19.07%
• 3Y*: 15.74%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BALT vs. BUFB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BALT Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF	1.91%	6.65%	9.98%	7.45%	2.74%
BUFB Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF	7.03%	13.42%	16.37%	20.50%	-8.37%

Correlation

The correlation between BALT and BUFB is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 10, 2022	0.77

The correlation between BALT and BUFB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

BALT vs. BUFB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BALT	BUFB
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

BALT vs. BUFB — Risk / Return Rank

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

BALT

BALT Risk / Return Rank: 92
BALT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
BALT Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
BALT Omega Ratio Rank: 93
BALT Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
BALT Martin Ratio Rank: 91

BUFB

BUFB Risk / Return Rank: 81
BUFB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
BUFB Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
BUFB Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BUFB Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUFB Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

BALT vs. BUFB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF (BUFB). 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.

	BALT	BUFB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.19	2.55	+0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.88	3.70	+1.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.51	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.05	3.74	+2.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.58	19.82	+2.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BALT vs. BUFB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BALT Sharpe Ratio is 3.19, which is comparable to the BUFB Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BALT and BUFB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BALT	BUFB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.19	2.55	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.80	0.91	+0.89

Drawdowns

BALT vs. BUFB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALT drawdown since its inception was -4.89%, smaller than the maximum BUFB drawdown of -14.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALT and BUFB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALT	BUFB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-14.88%	+9.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.15%	-5.12%	+3.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.89%	-13.75%	+8.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-0.31%	+0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.34%	-2.88%	+2.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.31%	0.96%	-0.65%

Volatility

BALT vs. BUFB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT) is 0.37%, while Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF (BUFB) has a volatility of 1.33%. This indicates that BALT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BALT	BUFB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.37%	1.33%	-0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.56%	5.76%	-4.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19%	7.51%	-5.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.32%	12.01%	-8.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.32%	12.01%	-8.69%

BALT vs. BUFB - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALT has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFB's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALT vs. BUFB - Dividend Comparison

Neither BALT nor BUFB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALT and BUFB in my portfolio?

BALT and BUFB have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BALT or BUFB?

BUFB has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to BALT (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BALT dropped -4.89% vs BUFB's -14.88%.

Which ETF is better, BALT or BUFB?

On 3-year performance, BUFB leads with 15.74% vs 7.27% for BALT. On fees, BALT is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, BALT has been the lower-risk option at 0.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BALT or BUFB?

Over the 3-year period, BUFB has performed better with a 15.74% return vs 7.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALT or BUFB?

BALT is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BUFB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BALT or BUFB?

BALT and BUFB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BALT and BUFB?

BALT tracks S&P 500, while BUFB tracks MerQube U.S. Large Cap Equity Buffer Laddered Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for BALT and 0.89% for BUFB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BALT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.19 vs 2.55), 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.