BOCT vs. BFEB

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BOCT (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October) and BFEB (Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February) are both exchange-traded funds - BOCT is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500 Price Return Index, 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, BOCT returned 10.35%/yr vs 11.48%/yr for BFEB. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

BOCT vs. BFEB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October (BOCT) 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, BOCT achieves a 6.08% return, which is significantly lower than BFEB's 7.14% return.

BOCT

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 6.08%
• 6M: 6.65%
• 1Y: 18.49%
• 3Y*: 14.02%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: —

BFEB

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 7.14%
• 6M: 8.04%
• 1Y: 19.49%
• 3Y*: 16.14%
• 5Y*: 11.48%
• 10Y*: —

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

BOCT vs. BFEB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BOCT Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October	6.08%	14.34%	12.36%	21.13%	-8.14%	14.97%	14.65%
BFEB Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February	7.14%	12.99%	17.58%	22.35%	-6.76%	18.05%	6.01%

Correlation

The correlation between BOCT 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	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2020	0.94

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

BOCT vs. BFEB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BOCT	BFEB
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

BOCT vs. BFEB — Risk / Return Rank

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

BOCT

BOCT Risk / Return Rank: 77
BOCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
BOCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
BOCT Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BOCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
BOCT Martin Ratio Rank: 82

BFEB

BFEB Risk / Return Rank: 80
BFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
BFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
BFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
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.

BOCT vs. BFEB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October (BOCT) 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.

	BOCT	BFEB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.39	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	3.36	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.46	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	3.05	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.61	15.50	-0.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BOCT vs. BFEB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BOCT Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the BFEB Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BOCT 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BOCT	BFEB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	2.39	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	1.01	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.88	-0.13

Drawdowns

BOCT vs. BFEB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BOCT drawdown since its inception was -24.54%, smaller than the maximum BFEB drawdown of -26.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BOCT and BFEB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BOCT	BFEB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.54%	-26.37%	+1.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.09%	-6.41%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.61%	-13.82%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.29%	-14.84%	+0.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.17%	-1.30%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.60%	-2.68%	+0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.27%	1.26%	+0.01%

Volatility

BOCT vs. BFEB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October (BOCT) is 1.76%, while Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February (BFEB) has a volatility of 2.02%. This indicates that BOCT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BFEB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BOCT	BFEB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.76%	2.02%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.26%	6.50%	-0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.25%	8.21%	+0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.11%	11.41%	-0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.82%	14.19%	-0.37%

BOCT vs. BFEB - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

BOCT vs. BFEB - Dividend Comparison

Neither BOCT nor BFEB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BFEB Innovator S&P 500 Buffer ETF - February	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BOCT Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BOCT and BFEB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, BOCT 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, BOCT or BFEB?

BFEB has higher volatility (2.02%) compared to BOCT (1.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BOCT dropped -24.54% vs BFEB's -26.37%.

Which ETF is better, BOCT or BFEB?

On 5-year performance, BFEB leads with 11.48% vs 10.35% for BOCT. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, BOCT has been the lower-risk option at 1.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BOCT or BFEB?

Over the 5-year period, BFEB has performed better with a 11.48% return vs 10.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BOCT or BFEB?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between BOCT and BFEB?

BOCT is categorized as Defined Outcome, while BFEB is Options Trading. BOCT tracks S&P 500 Price Return Index, 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 (2.39 vs 2.25), 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.