BALT vs. BUFD

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD).

BALT and BUFD are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BALT is a passively managed fund by Innovator that tracks the performance of the S&P 500. It was launched on Jun 30, 2021. BUFD is an actively managed fund by FT Vest. It was launched on Jan 20, 2021.

Performance

BALT vs. BUFD - Performance Comparison

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

BALT vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BALT Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF	-0.13%	6.65%	9.98%	7.45%	2.54%	0.82%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	-0.85%	10.66%	12.42%	15.40%	-7.70%	2.55%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALT achieves a -0.13% return, which is significantly higher than BUFD's -0.85% return.

BALT

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -0.87%
• YTD: -0.13%
• 6M: 1.97%
• 1Y: 6.64%
• 3Y*: 7.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFD

• 1D: 1.52%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: -0.85%
• 6M: 1.30%
• 1Y: 12.22%
• 3Y*: 11.08%
• 5Y*: 6.54%
• 10Y*: —

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

BALT vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALT has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

BUFD

FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF

BALT

Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF

Return for Risk

BALT vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

BALT

BALT Risk / Return Rank: 86
BALT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
BALT Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
BALT Omega Ratio Rank: 94
BALT Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
BALT Martin Ratio Rank: 92

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 81
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 85
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUFD Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. BUFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). 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	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	1.36	+0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.01	+0.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.33	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	1.93	-0.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.79	10.57	+2.22
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. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BALT Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BALT and BUFD, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BALT	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	1.36	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.70	0.87	+0.84

Correlation

The correlation between BALT and BUFD is 0.72, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

BALT vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

Neither BALT nor BUFD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

BALT vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALT drawdown since its inception was -4.89%, smaller than the maximum BUFD drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALT and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALT	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-10.75%	+5.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.48%	-6.57%	+3.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.05%	-1.96%	+0.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.35%	-2.03%	+1.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.52%	1.20%	-0.68%

Volatility

BALT vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT) is 0.61%, while FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) has a volatility of 2.69%. This indicates that BALT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BALT	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.61%	2.69%	-2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.84%	4.10%	-2.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.48%	9.04%	-4.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.36%	7.71%	-4.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.36%	7.63%	-4.27%