BDEC vs. BFEB

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

BDEC (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December) and BFEB (Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February) are both exchange-traded funds - BDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index December, while BFEB is a Options Trading fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index February Series. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BDEC returned 9.88%/yr vs 11.40%/yr for BFEB. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

BDEC vs. BFEB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December (BDEC) and Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February (BFEB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BDEC achieves a 7.69% return, which is significantly lower than BFEB's 8.46% return.

BDEC

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 1.11%
• 6M: 6.23%
• YTD: 7.69%
• 1Y: 17.54%
• 3Y*: 13.40%
• 5Y*: 9.88%
• 10Y*: —

BFEB

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 1.02%
• 6M: 7.15%
• YTD: 8.46%
• 1Y: 17.33%
• 3Y*: 15.24%
• 5Y*: 11.40%
• 10Y*: —

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

BDEC vs. BFEB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BDEC Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December	7.69%	14.96%	12.71%	19.86%	-9.42%	15.45%	13.27%
BFEB Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February	8.46%	12.99%	17.58%	22.35%	-6.76%	18.05%	6.01%

Correlation

The correlation between BDEC and BFEB is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2020	0.94

The correlation between BDEC and BFEB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BDEC vs. BFEB — Risk / Return Rank

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

BDEC

BDEC Risk / Return Rank: 77
BDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
BDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
BDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
BDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
BDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 82

BFEB

BFEB Risk / Return Rank: 81
BFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
BFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
BFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
BFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

BDEC vs. BFEB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December (BDEC) and Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February (BFEB). 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.

	BDEC	BFEB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	2.09	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	2.97	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.40	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	2.72	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.56	13.44	-0.88

BDEC vs. BFEB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BDEC Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the BFEB Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BDEC and BFEB, 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

BDEC vs. BFEB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BDEC drawdown since its inception was -25.60%, smaller than the maximum BFEB drawdown of -27.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BDEC and BFEB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BDEC	BFEB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.60%	-27.20%	+1.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.52%	-6.41%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.95%	-13.82%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.44%	-14.84%	-1.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.47%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.02%	-2.75%	-0.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.40%	1.29%	+0.11%

Volatility

BDEC vs. BFEB - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December (BDEC) has a higher volatility of 2.69% compared to Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February (BFEB) at 2.49%. This indicates that BDEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BFEB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BDEC	BFEB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.69%	2.49%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.86%	6.86%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.07%	8.35%	+0.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.04%	11.45%	+0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.21%	14.20%	+0.01%

BDEC vs. BFEB - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BDEC and BFEB have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

BDEC vs. BFEB - Dividend Comparison

Neither BDEC nor BFEB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BDEC and BFEB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, BDEC and BFEB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BDEC or BFEB?

BDEC has higher volatility (2.69%) compared to BFEB (2.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BDEC dropped -25.60% vs BFEB's -27.20%.

Which ETF is better, BDEC or BFEB?

On 5-year performance, BFEB leads with 11.40% vs 9.88% for BDEC. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, BFEB has been the lower-risk option at 2.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BDEC or BFEB?

Over the 5-year period, BFEB has performed better with a 11.40% return vs 9.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BDEC or BFEB?

BDEC and BFEB have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BDEC or BFEB?

BDEC and BFEB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BDEC and BFEB?

BDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while BFEB is Options Trading. BDEC tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index December, while BFEB tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index February Series.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BFEB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.95), 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.