BUFB vs. BUFR

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

BUFB (Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. BUFB is passively managed, while BUFR is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, BUFB returned 14.03%/yr vs 12.87%/yr for BUFR. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. BUFB charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.

Performance

BUFB vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF (BUFB) 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, BUFB achieves a 7.93% return, which is significantly higher than BUFR's 7.33% return.

BUFB

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 0.69%
• 6M: 7.07%
• YTD: 7.93%
• 1Y: 15.99%
• 3Y*: 14.03%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.70%

BUFR

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 0.60%
• 6M: 6.43%
• YTD: 7.33%
• 1Y: 14.83%
• 3Y*: 12.87%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.60%

*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)
BUFB Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF	$895.99K	$1.06M	$1.52M
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	$38.72M	$41.24M	$45.38M

BUFB vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUFB Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF	7.93%	13.42%	16.37%	20.50%	-8.23%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	7.33%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-5.85%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFB and BUFR is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 9, 2022	0.94

The correlation between BUFB and BUFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFB vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFB

BUFB Risk / Return Rank: 84
BUFB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
BUFB Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BUFB Omega Ratio Rank: 83
BUFB Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFB Martin Ratio Rank: 90

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

BUFB vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF (BUFB) 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.

	BUFB	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	2.04	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	2.94	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.40	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	3.00	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.65	15.68	-1.04

BUFB vs. BUFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFB Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the BUFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFB 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

BUFB vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFB drawdown since its inception was -14.88%, which is greater than BUFR's maximum drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFB and BUFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFB	BUFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.88%	-13.73%	-1.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.12%	-4.61%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.75%	-12.81%	-0.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-0.11%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.80%	-2.05%	-0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.01%	0.88%	+0.13%

Volatility

BUFB vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF (BUFB) has a higher volatility of 2.20% compared to FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) at 1.90%. This indicates that BUFB'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

	BUFB	BUFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.20%	1.90%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.38%	5.41%	+0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.88%	6.78%	+1.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.90%	10.48%	+1.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.90%	10.16%	+1.74%

BUFB vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFB has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFB vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFB nor BUFR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFB and BUFR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, BUFB 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, BUFB or BUFR?

BUFB has higher volatility (2.20%) compared to BUFR (1.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFB dropped -14.88% vs BUFR's -13.73%.

Which ETF is better, BUFB or BUFR?

On 3-year performance, BUFB leads with 14.03% vs 12.87% for BUFR. On fees, BUFB is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, BUFR has been the lower-risk option at 1.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFB or BUFR?

Over the 3-year period, BUFB has performed better with a 14.03% return vs 12.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFB or BUFR?

BUFB is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.

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

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

What is the main difference between BUFB and BUFR?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for BUFB and 0.95% for BUFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.88), 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.