EOCT vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

EOCT (Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - October) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EOCT is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. EOCT is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EOCT returned 13.41%/yr vs 12.56%/yr for BUFF. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.89% expense ratio.

Performance

EOCT vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EOCT achieves a 7.67% return, which is significantly higher than BUFF's 5.58% return.

EOCT

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.70%
• YTD: 7.67%
• 6M: 9.16%
• 1Y: 24.21%
• 3Y*: 13.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 5.58%
• 6M: 6.06%
• 1Y: 14.66%
• 3Y*: 12.56%
• 5Y*: 8.75%
• 10Y*: —

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

EOCT vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
EOCT Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - October	7.67%	22.03%	9.66%	6.26%	-10.75%	-0.50%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.58%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	2.77%

Correlation

The correlation between EOCT and BUFF is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2021	0.62

The correlation between EOCT and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

EOCT vs. BUFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EOCT	BUFF
Technology	37.0%	36.2%
Financial Services	19.4%	11.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	10.1%
Industrials	7.5%	8.1%
Communication Services	6.9%	10.9%
Basic Materials	6.5%	1.8%
Energy	4.0%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	4.9%
Healthcare	2.9%	8.4%
Utilities	2.1%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.1%	1.9%

Return for Risk

EOCT vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

EOCT

EOCT Risk / Return Rank: 84
EOCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
EOCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
EOCT Omega Ratio Rank: 86
EOCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
EOCT Martin Ratio Rank: 83

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 88
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

EOCT vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - October (EOCT) 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.

	EOCT	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	2.86	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	4.32	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.60	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.10	4.11	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.46	21.95	-5.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EOCT vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EOCT Sharpe Ratio is 2.69, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EOCT and BUFF, 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

	EOCT	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.69	2.86	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.49	+0.11

Drawdowns

EOCT vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EOCT drawdown since its inception was -20.35%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EOCT and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	EOCT	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.35%	-46.23%	+25.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.93%	-3.58%	-2.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.76%	-10.24%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	-0.11%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.69%	-6.18%	+0.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.47%	0.67%	+0.80%

Volatility

EOCT vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - October (EOCT) has a higher volatility of 1.70% compared to Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) at 1.01%. This indicates that EOCT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EOCT	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.70%	1.01%	+0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.69%	3.83%	+2.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.06%	5.15%	+3.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.30%	8.41%	+2.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.30%	17.67%	-6.37%

EOCT vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both EOCT and BUFF have an expense ratio of 0.89%.

Dividends

EOCT vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither EOCT nor BUFF has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	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%
EOCT Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - October	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EOCT and BUFF in my portfolio?

EOCT and BUFF have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EOCT or BUFF?

EOCT has higher volatility (1.70%) compared to BUFF (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EOCT dropped -20.35% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, EOCT or BUFF?

On 3-year performance, EOCT leads with 13.41% vs 12.56% for BUFF. Both ETFs have the same 0.89% expense ratio. On volatility, BUFF has been the lower-risk option at 1.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EOCT or BUFF?

Over the 3-year period, EOCT has performed better with a 13.41% return vs 12.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EOCT or BUFF?

EOCT and BUFF have the same expense ratio: 0.89% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EOCT or BUFF?

EOCT and BUFF have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between EOCT and BUFF?

EOCT is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFF is Defined Outcome.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 2.69), 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.