IBUF vs. KFEB

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

IBUF (Innovator International Developed 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and KFEB (Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - February) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, IBUF returned 15.36% vs 25.46% for KFEB. Their 0.61 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IBUF charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for KFEB.

Performance

IBUF vs. KFEB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator International Developed 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (IBUF) and Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - February (KFEB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBUF achieves a 9.00% return, which is significantly lower than KFEB's 14.50% return.

IBUF

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.21%
• 6M: 7.82%
• YTD: 9.00%
• 1Y: 15.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.18%

KFEB

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 0.66%
• 6M: 8.17%
• YTD: 14.50%
• 1Y: 25.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.12%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IBUF Innovator International Developed 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	$366.94K	$408.38K	$553.77K
KFEB Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - February	$34.51K	$48.74K	$136.64K

IBUF vs. KFEB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IBUF Innovator International Developed 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	9.00%	11.86%
KFEB Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - February	14.50%	9.19%

Correlation

The correlation between IBUF and KFEB is 0.63, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2025	0.61

The correlation between IBUF and KFEB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IBUF vs. KFEB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IBUF

IBUF Risk / Return Rank: 94
IBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
IBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
IBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 94
IBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
IBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 96

KFEB

KFEB Risk / Return Rank: 91
KFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
KFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
KFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 88
KFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
KFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IBUF vs. KFEB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator International Developed 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (IBUF) and Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - February (KFEB). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	IBUF	KFEB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.38	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.91	3.45	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.42	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.12	4.41	+2.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.78	16.43	+8.35

IBUF vs. KFEB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBUF Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the KFEB Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBUF and KFEB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IBUF vs. KFEB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBUF drawdown since its inception was -5.92%, smaller than the maximum KFEB drawdown of -14.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBUF and KFEB.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBUF	KFEB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.92%	-14.16%	+8.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.17%	-5.80%	+3.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.47%	-2.11%	+1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.62%	1.55%	-0.93%

Volatility

IBUF vs. KFEB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator International Developed 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (IBUF) is 1.41%, while Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - February (KFEB) has a volatility of 1.69%. This indicates that IBUF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KFEB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBUF	KFEB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.41%	1.69%	-0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.46%	7.12%	-1.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.18%	10.78%	-4.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.68%	12.74%	-6.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.68%	12.74%	-6.06%

IBUF vs. KFEB - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBUF has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than KFEB's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBUF vs. KFEB - Dividend Comparison

Neither IBUF nor KFEB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBUF and KFEB in my portfolio?

IBUF and KFEB have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBUF or KFEB?

KFEB has higher volatility (1.69%) compared to IBUF (1.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBUF dropped -5.92% vs KFEB's -14.16%.

Which ETF is better, IBUF or KFEB?

On 1-year performance, KFEB leads with 25.46% vs 15.36% for IBUF. On fees, KFEB is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, IBUF has been the lower-risk option at 1.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBUF or KFEB?

Over the 1-year period, KFEB has performed better with a 25.46% return vs 15.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBUF or KFEB?

KFEB is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IBUF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBUF or KFEB?

IBUF and KFEB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between IBUF and KFEB?

Their fees differ too: 0.85% for IBUF and 0.79% for KFEB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBUF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.38), 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.