BFEB vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BFEB (Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BFEB is a Options Trading fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index February Series, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BFEB returned 11.70%/yr vs 8.71%/yr for BUFF. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BFEB charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

BFEB vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February (BFEB) 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, BFEB achieves a 8.25% return, which is significantly higher than BUFF's 5.42% return.

BFEB

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 2.99%
• YTD: 8.25%
• 6M: 9.24%
• 1Y: 21.21%
• 3Y*: 16.68%
• 5Y*: 11.70%
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 1.68%
• YTD: 5.42%
• 6M: 5.90%
• 1Y: 14.36%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 8.71%
• 10Y*: —

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

BFEB vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BFEB Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February	8.25%	12.99%	17.58%	22.35%	-6.76%	18.05%	10.17%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	8.37%	-9.25%

Correlation

The correlation between BFEB and BUFF is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2020	0.88

The correlation between BFEB and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

BFEB vs. BUFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BFEB	BUFF
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

BFEB vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

BFEB

BFEB Risk / Return Rank: 80
BFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
BFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
BFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 83

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

BFEB vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	BFEB	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.80	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	4.24	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.58	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	4.02	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.95	21.50	-4.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BFEB vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BFEB Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BFEB 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BFEB	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.80	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.03	1.04	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.49	+0.41

Drawdowns

BFEB vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BFEB drawdown since its inception was -26.37%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BFEB and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	BFEB	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.37%	-46.23%	+19.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.41%	-3.58%	-2.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.82%	-10.24%	-3.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.84%	-10.24%	-4.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.27%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.69%	-6.18%	+3.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.25%	0.67%	+0.58%

Volatility

BFEB vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February (BFEB) has a higher volatility of 1.51% compared to Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) at 1.02%. This indicates that BFEB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BFEB	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.51%	1.02%	+0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.31%	3.83%	+2.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.10%	5.15%	+2.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.39%	8.41%	+2.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.19%	17.67%	-3.48%

BFEB vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

BFEB vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither BFEB nor BUFF has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BFEB Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February	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 BFEB and BUFF in my portfolio?

BFEB and BUFF have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BFEB or BUFF?

BFEB has higher volatility (1.51%) compared to BUFF (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BFEB dropped -26.37% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, BFEB or BUFF?

On 5-year performance, BFEB leads with 11.70% vs 8.71% for BUFF. On fees, BFEB is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, BUFF has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BFEB or BUFF?

Over the 5-year period, BFEB has performed better with a 11.70% return vs 8.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BFEB or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between BFEB and BUFF?

BFEB is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. BFEB tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index February Series, while BUFF tracks Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BFEB and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 2.63), 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.