BOCT vs. BUFP

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BOCT (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October) and BUFP (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds - BOCT tracks the S&P 500 Price Return Index while BUFP tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, BOCT returned 20.96% vs 18.00% for BUFP. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BOCT charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for BUFP.

Performance

BOCT vs. BUFP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October (BOCT) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BOCT achieves a 7.34% return, which is significantly higher than BUFP's 6.46% return.

BOCT

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 7.34%
• 6M: 8.06%
• 1Y: 20.96%
• 3Y*: 14.64%
• 5Y*: 10.67%
• 10Y*: —

BUFP

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 6.46%
• 6M: 7.37%
• 1Y: 18.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BOCT vs. BUFP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BOCT Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October	7.34%	14.34%	4.31%
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	6.46%	12.92%	6.36%

Correlation

The correlation between BOCT and BUFP is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.90

The correlation between BOCT and BUFP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

BOCT vs. BUFP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BOCT	BUFP
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. BUFP — Risk / Return Rank

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

BOCT

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

BUFP

BUFP Risk / Return Rank: 88
BUFP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUFP Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BUFP Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BUFP Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
BUFP Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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. BUFP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October (BOCT) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). 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	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	2.89	-0.31
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.61	4.30	-0.69
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.60	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	4.14	-0.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.80	23.20	-6.40
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. BUFP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BOCT Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is comparable to the BUFP Sharpe Ratio of 2.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BOCT and BUFP, 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	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.57	2.89	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	1.41	-0.65

Drawdowns

BOCT vs. BUFP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BOCT drawdown since its inception was -24.54%, which is greater than BUFP's maximum drawdown of -11.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BOCT and BUFP.

Drawdown Indicators

	BOCT	BUFP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.54%	-11.98%	-12.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.09%	-4.41%	-1.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.29%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.60%	-1.01%	-1.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.26%	0.79%	+0.47%

Volatility

BOCT vs. BUFP - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October (BOCT) has a higher volatility of 1.37% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP) at 0.95%. This indicates that BOCT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BOCT	BUFP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.37%	0.95%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.12%	4.81%	+1.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.18%	6.27%	+1.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.09%	9.49%	+1.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.83%	9.49%	+4.34%

BOCT vs. BUFP - Expense Ratio Comparison

BOCT has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BOCT vs. BUFP - Dividend Comparison

BOCT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BUFP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BOCT Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.20%
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BOCT and BUFP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, BOCT and BUFP 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 BUFP?

BOCT has higher volatility (1.37%) compared to BUFP (0.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BOCT dropped -24.54% vs BUFP's -11.98%.

Which ETF is better, BOCT or BUFP?

On 1-year performance, BOCT leads with 20.96% vs 18.00% for BUFP. On fees, BUFP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, BUFP has been the lower-risk option at 0.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BOCT or BUFP?

Over the 1-year period, BOCT has performed better with a 20.96% return vs 18.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BOCT or BUFP?

BUFP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BOCT.

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

BUFP has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for BOCT.

What is the main difference between BOCT and BUFP?

BOCT tracks S&P 500 Price Return Index, while BUFP tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BOCT and 0.50% for BUFP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.89 vs 2.57), 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.