HOCT vs. BUFF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF - October (HOCT) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF).

HOCT and BUFF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. HOCT is an actively managed fund by Innovator. It was launched on Sep 29, 2023. 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

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.

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	-1.84%

Returns By Period

HOCT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 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)

HOCT vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

BUFF

Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF

HOCT

Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF - October

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: 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.

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	—	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	—	0.46	—

Dividends

HOCT vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither HOCT nor BUFF has paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
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

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	—	-7.15%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.18%	+2.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-6.29%	+6.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.27%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	HOCT	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	0.00%	9.82%	-9.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.00%	8.40%	-8.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.00%	17.83%	-17.83%