IMAR vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IMAR (Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - March) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IMAR is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. IMAR is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past year, IMAR returned 9.00% vs 14.36% for BUFF. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IMAR charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

IMAR vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - March (IMAR) 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, IMAR achieves a 1.43% return, which is significantly lower than BUFF's 5.42% return.

IMAR

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 2.14%
• YTD: 1.43%
• 6M: 2.92%
• 1Y: 9.00%
• 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)

IMAR vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IMAR Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - March	1.43%	18.88%	-0.77%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	8.53%

Correlation

The correlation between IMAR and BUFF is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 2024	0.63

The correlation between IMAR and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IMAR vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

IMAR

IMAR Risk / Return Rank: 32
IMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
IMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

IMAR vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - March (IMAR) 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.

	IMAR	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	2.80	-1.67
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	4.24	-2.59
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.58	-0.34
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.31	4.02	-2.72
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.06	21.50	-16.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IMAR vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IMAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is lower than the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IMAR 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

	IMAR	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.13	2.80	-1.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.49	+0.40

Drawdowns

IMAR vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IMAR drawdown since its inception was -9.05%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMAR and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IMAR	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.05%	-46.23%	+37.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.91%	-3.58%	-3.33%
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	-0.77%	-0.27%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.89%	-6.18%	+4.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	0.67%	+1.11%

Volatility

IMAR vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - March (IMAR) has a higher volatility of 2.92% compared to Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) at 1.02%. This indicates that IMAR'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

	IMAR	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	1.02%	+1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.89%	3.83%	+3.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.98%	5.15%	+2.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.35%	8.41%	+0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.35%	17.67%	-8.32%

IMAR vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IMAR has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFF's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

IMAR vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither IMAR 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%
IMAR Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - March	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 IMAR and BUFF in my portfolio?

IMAR and BUFF have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IMAR or BUFF?

IMAR has higher volatility (2.92%) compared to BUFF (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IMAR dropped -9.05% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, IMAR or BUFF?

On 1-year performance, BUFF leads with 14.36% vs 9.00% for IMAR. On fees, IMAR is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, BUFF has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IMAR or BUFF?

Over the 1-year period, BUFF has performed better with a 14.36% return vs 9.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IMAR or BUFF?

IMAR is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BUFF.

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

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

What is the main difference between IMAR and BUFF?

IMAR is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for IMAR and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 1.13), 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.