DDFL vs. BUFF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July (DDFL) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF).

DDFL and BUFF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DDFL is an actively managed fund by Innovator. It was launched on Jun 30, 2025. 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.

Performance

DDFL vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July (DDFL) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DDFL vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DDFL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July	-0.02%	4.76%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	-0.90%	6.09%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DDFL achieves a -0.02% return, which is significantly higher than BUFF's -0.90% return.

DDFL

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: -0.56%
• YTD: -0.02%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

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

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

DDFL vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

DDFL has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFF's 0.89% expense ratio.

BUFF

Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF

DDFL

Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July

Return for Risk

DDFL vs. BUFF — 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

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.

DDFL vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July (DDFL) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF). 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DDFL	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.23	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.83	0.46	+1.38

Correlation

The correlation between DDFL and BUFF is 0.71, 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

DDFL vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither DDFL nor BUFF has paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
DDFL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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%

Drawdowns

DDFL vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDFL drawdown since its inception was -1.63%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDFL and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDFL	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-46.23%	+44.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.15%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-2.18%	+1.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.22%	-6.29%	+6.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.27%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DDFL	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.61%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	4.05%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.50%	9.82%	-6.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.50%	8.40%	-4.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.50%	17.83%	-14.33%