BJAN vs. BUFR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BJAN (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. BJAN is passively managed, while BUFR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BJAN returned 10.30%/yr vs 9.61%/yr for BUFR. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BJAN charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.

Performance

BJAN vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January (BJAN) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BJAN achieves a 5.95% return, which is significantly higher than BUFR's 5.63% return.

BJAN

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: -0.25%
• YTD: 5.95%
• 6M: 6.25%
• 1Y: 18.60%
• 3Y*: 16.33%
• 5Y*: 10.30%
• 10Y*: —

BUFR

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: -0.22%
• YTD: 5.63%
• 6M: 5.31%
• 1Y: 15.99%
• 3Y*: 13.70%
• 5Y*: 9.61%
• 10Y*: —

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

BJAN vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BJAN Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January	5.95%	14.81%	17.36%	23.66%	-11.40%	13.86%	8.62%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	5.63%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-7.57%	11.88%	6.60%

Correlation

The correlation between BJAN and BUFR 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	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2020	0.92

The correlation between BJAN and BUFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BJAN vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BJAN

BJAN Risk / Return Rank: 77
BJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
BJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
BJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 83
BJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
BJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 80

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 82
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
BUFR 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.

BJAN vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January (BJAN) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). 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.

	BJAN	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.42	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	3.48	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.48	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	3.49	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.81	18.54	-3.73

BJAN vs. BUFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BJAN Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the BUFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BJAN and BUFR, 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

BJAN vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BJAN drawdown since its inception was -26.86%, which is greater than BUFR's maximum drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BJAN and BUFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BJAN	BUFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.86%	-13.73%	-13.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.27%	-4.61%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.81%	-12.81%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.38%	-13.73%	-3.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.23%	-0.96%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.89%	-2.08%	-0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.26%	0.86%	+0.40%

Volatility

BJAN vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January (BJAN) has a higher volatility of 2.62% compared to FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) at 2.13%. This indicates that BJAN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BJAN	BUFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.62%	2.13%	+0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.46%	5.25%	+1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.94%	6.65%	+1.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.02%	10.48%	+1.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.05%	10.22%	+3.83%

BJAN vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BJAN has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

BJAN vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison

Neither BJAN nor BUFR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BJAN Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	4.66%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BJAN and BUFR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, BJAN and BUFR 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, BJAN or BUFR?

BJAN has higher volatility (2.62%) compared to BUFR (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BJAN dropped -26.86% vs BUFR's -13.73%.

Which ETF is better, BJAN or BUFR?

On 5-year performance, BJAN leads with 10.30% vs 9.61% for BUFR. On fees, BJAN is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, BUFR has been the lower-risk option at 2.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BJAN or BUFR?

Over the 5-year period, BJAN has performed better with a 10.30% return vs 9.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BJAN or BUFR?

BJAN is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BJAN or BUFR?

BJAN and BUFR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BJAN and BUFR?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BJAN and 0.95% for BUFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.36), 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.