BOCT vs. PMAY

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BOCT (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October) and PMAY (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - May) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator tracking the S&P 500 Price Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BOCT returned 10.33%/yr vs 7.05%/yr for PMAY. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

BOCT vs. PMAY - 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 U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - May (PMAY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BOCT achieves a 6.34% return, which is significantly higher than PMAY's 3.84% return.

BOCT

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 6.34%
• 6M: 6.89%
• 1Y: 18.25%
• 3Y*: 13.68%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: —

PMAY

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 3.84%
• 6M: 4.42%
• 1Y: 10.24%
• 3Y*: 11.73%
• 5Y*: 7.05%
• 10Y*: —

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

BOCT vs. PMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BOCT Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October	6.34%	14.34%	12.36%	21.13%	-8.14%	14.97%	22.64%
PMAY Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - May	3.84%	10.26%	14.08%	12.05%	-8.08%	7.80%	10.74%

Correlation

The correlation between BOCT and PMAY is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2020	0.87

The correlation between BOCT and PMAY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

BOCT vs. PMAY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BOCT	PMAY
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. PMAY — 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: 78
BOCT Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BOCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
BOCT Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PMAY

PMAY Risk / Return Rank: 92
PMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 93
PMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
PMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. PMAY - 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 U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - May (PMAY). 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.

	BOCT	PMAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.54	-0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.06	3.81	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.58	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.01	5.57	-2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.28	30.46	-16.18

BOCT vs. PMAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BOCT Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the PMAY Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BOCT and PMAY, 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

BOCT vs. PMAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BOCT drawdown since its inception was -24.54%, which is greater than PMAY's maximum drawdown of -13.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BOCT and PMAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BOCT	PMAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.54%	-13.05%	-11.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.09%	-1.85%	-4.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.61%	-9.43%	-4.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.29%	-13.05%	-1.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.92%	-0.83%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.59%	-2.10%	-0.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.28%	0.34%	+0.94%

Volatility

BOCT vs. PMAY - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF October (BOCT) has a higher volatility of 2.27% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - May (PMAY) at 1.95%. This indicates that BOCT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PMAY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BOCT	PMAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.27%	1.95%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.41%	3.24%	+3.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.36%	4.05%	+4.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.12%	8.67%	+2.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.81%	8.42%	+5.39%

BOCT vs. PMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

BOCT vs. PMAY - Dividend Comparison

Neither BOCT nor PMAY has paid dividends to shareholders.

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%
PMAY Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BOCT and PMAY in my portfolio?

BOCT and PMAY have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BOCT or PMAY?

BOCT has higher volatility (2.27%) compared to PMAY (1.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BOCT dropped -24.54% vs PMAY's -13.05%.

Which ETF is better, BOCT or PMAY?

On 5-year performance, BOCT leads with 10.33% vs 7.05% for PMAY. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, PMAY has been the lower-risk option at 1.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BOCT or PMAY?

Over the 5-year period, BOCT has performed better with a 10.33% return vs 7.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BOCT or PMAY?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between BOCT and PMAY?

Both ETFs track S&P 500 Price Return Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 2.19), 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.