BSEP vs. OCTB

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

BSEP (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) and OCTB (Aptus October Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. BSEP is passively managed, while OCTB is actively managed. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. BSEP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for OCTB.

Performance

BSEP vs. OCTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (BSEP) and Aptus October Buffer ETF (OCTB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSEP achieves a 8.26% return, which is significantly higher than OCTB's 7.27% return.

BSEP

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 1.07%
• 6M: 7.19%
• YTD: 8.26%
• 1Y: 17.26%
• 3Y*: 14.65%
• 5Y*: 10.76%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.08%

OCTB

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 0.86%
• 6M: 6.48%
• YTD: 7.27%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	$163.91K	$157.86K	$228.06K
OCTB Aptus October Buffer ETF	$58.52K	$94.12K	$66.59K

BSEP vs. OCTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	8.26%	2.44%
OCTB Aptus October Buffer ETF	7.27%	2.37%

Correlation

The correlation between BSEP and OCTB is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2025	0.96

Return for Risk

BSEP vs. OCTB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BSEP

BSEP Risk / Return Rank: 85
BSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 87
BSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 89

OCTB

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BSEP vs. OCTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (BSEP) and Aptus October Buffer ETF (OCTB). 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.

	BSEP	OCTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.81	—	—

Drawdowns

BSEP vs. OCTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSEP drawdown since its inception was -23.98%, which is greater than OCTB's maximum drawdown of -4.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSEP and OCTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSEP	OCTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.98%	-4.79%	-19.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.70%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.02%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.69%	-0.66%	-2.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.15%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BSEP	OCTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.75%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.92%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.83%	7.16%	+0.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.65%	7.16%	+4.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.64%	7.16%	+6.48%

BSEP vs. OCTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSEP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than OCTB's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSEP vs. OCTB - Dividend Comparison

Neither BSEP nor OCTB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.39%
OCTB Aptus October 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 BSEP and OCTB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, BSEP and OCTB 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 ETF is better, BSEP or OCTB?

On fees, OCTB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BSEP or OCTB?

OCTB is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BSEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BSEP or OCTB?

BSEP and OCTB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BSEP and OCTB?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Aptus. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BSEP and 0.25% for OCTB.