BUFB vs. SMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUFB (Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF) and SMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. BUFB is passively managed, while SMAX is actively managed. Over the past year, BUFB returned 19.07% vs 9.17% for SMAX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BUFB charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SMAX.

Performance

BUFB vs. SMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF (BUFB) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFB achieves a 7.03% return, which is significantly higher than SMAX's 3.09% return.

BUFB

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 2.46%
• YTD: 7.03%
• 6M: 7.78%
• 1Y: 19.07%
• 3Y*: 15.74%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMAX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 1.09%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 6M: 3.54%
• 1Y: 9.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFB vs. SMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BUFB Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF	7.03%	13.42%	2.59%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	3.09%	8.01%	1.02%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFB and SMAX is 0.80, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2024	0.81

The correlation between BUFB and SMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFB vs. SMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFB

BUFB Risk / Return Rank: 81
BUFB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
BUFB Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
BUFB Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BUFB Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUFB Martin Ratio Rank: 89

SMAX

SMAX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
SMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

BUFB vs. SMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF (BUFB) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX). 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.

	BUFB	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	3.46	-0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.70	5.32	-1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.75	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.74	4.81	-1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.82	26.11	-6.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFB vs. SMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFB Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the SMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFB and SMAX, 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

	BUFB	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	3.46	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	2.01	-1.10

Drawdowns

BUFB vs. SMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFB drawdown since its inception was -14.88%, which is greater than SMAX's maximum drawdown of -3.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFB and SMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFB	SMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.88%	-3.90%	-10.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.12%	-1.91%	-3.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.75%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-0.09%	-0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.88%	-0.40%	-2.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	0.35%	+0.61%

Volatility

BUFB vs. SMAX - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF (BUFB) has a higher volatility of 1.33% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX) at 0.38%. This indicates that BUFB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFB	SMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	0.38%	+0.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.76%	2.10%	+3.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.51%	2.67%	+4.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.01%	3.67%	+8.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.01%	3.67%	+8.34%

BUFB vs. SMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFB has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than SMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFB vs. SMAX - Dividend Comparison

BUFB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFB Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	0.95%	0.98%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFB and SMAX in my portfolio?

BUFB and SMAX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFB or SMAX?

BUFB has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to SMAX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFB dropped -14.88% vs SMAX's -3.90%.

Which ETF is better, BUFB or SMAX?

On 1-year performance, BUFB leads with 19.07% vs 9.17% for SMAX. On fees, SMAX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SMAX has been the lower-risk option at 0.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFB or SMAX?

Over the 1-year period, BUFB has performed better with a 19.07% return vs 9.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFB or SMAX?

SMAX is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BUFB.

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

SMAX has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for BUFB.

What is the main difference between BUFB and SMAX?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for BUFB and 0.50% for SMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.46 vs 2.55), 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.