BUFF vs. BUFR

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR).

BUFF and BUFR are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BUFF is a passively managed fund by Innovator that tracks the performance of the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. It was launched on Oct 20, 2016. BUFR is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on Aug 10, 2020.

Performance

BUFF vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

BUFF vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	-0.90%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	8.37%	5.08%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	-1.43%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-7.57%	11.88%	7.57%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFF achieves a -0.90% return, which is significantly higher than BUFR's -1.43% return.

BUFF

• 1D: 1.46%
• 1M: -1.89%
• YTD: -0.90%
• 6M: 1.13%
• 1Y: 12.07%
• 3Y*: 11.21%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: —

BUFR

• 1D: 1.90%
• 1M: -2.26%
• YTD: -1.43%
• 6M: 1.05%
• 1Y: 13.74%
• 3Y*: 12.89%
• 5Y*: 8.75%
• 10Y*: —

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

BUFF vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

BUFR

FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF

BUFF

Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF

Return for Risk

BUFF vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 77
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 83
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 86

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 76
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

BUFF vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	BUFF	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	1.24	-0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	1.81	+0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.30	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.72	1.63	+0.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.71	9.18	+0.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFF vs. BUFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFF Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is comparable to the BUFR Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFF and BUFR, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BUFF	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.23	1.24	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.84	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.95	-0.49

Correlation

The correlation between BUFF and BUFR is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

BUFF vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFF nor BUFR has paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.78%	1.26%	1.74%	1.55%	0.18%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

BUFF vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFF drawdown since its inception was -46.23%, which is greater than BUFR's maximum drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFF and BUFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFF	BUFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.23%	-13.73%	-32.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.15%	-8.76%	+1.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.24%	-13.73%	+3.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.18%	-2.79%	+0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.29%	-2.15%	-4.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.27%	1.56%	-0.29%

Volatility

BUFF vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) is 2.61%, while FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) has a volatility of 3.44%. This indicates that BUFF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFF	BUFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.61%	3.44%	-0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.05%	5.22%	-1.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.82%	11.11%	-1.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.40%	10.46%	-2.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.83%	10.34%	+7.49%