HOCT vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HOCT (Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF - October) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HOCT is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. HOCT is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. HOCT charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

HOCT vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF - October (HOCT) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

HOCT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 1.68%
• YTD: 5.42%
• 6M: 5.90%
• 1Y: 14.36%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 8.71%
• 10Y*: —

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

HOCT vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
HOCT Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF - October	0.00%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	4.42%

Return for Risk

HOCT 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: 86
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

HOCT vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF - October (HOCT) 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

	HOCT	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.49	—

Drawdowns

HOCT vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HOCT drawdown since its inception was 0.00%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HOCT and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	HOCT	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-46.23%	+46.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-3.58%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.24%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.27%	+0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-6.18%	+6.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.67%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	HOCT	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.02%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	3.83%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00%	5.15%	-5.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.00%	8.41%	-8.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.00%	17.67%	-17.67%

HOCT vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

HOCT vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither HOCT 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%
HOCT Innovator Premium Income 9 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

Which ETF is better, HOCT or BUFF?

On fees, HOCT is cheaper at 0.79% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HOCT or BUFF?

HOCT is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BUFF.

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

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

What is the main difference between HOCT and BUFF?

HOCT is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for HOCT and 0.89% for BUFF.