INOV vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

INOV (Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - November) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - INOV is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. INOV is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past year, INOV returned 14.54% vs 14.36% for BUFF. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. INOV charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

INOV vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with INOV having a 5.40% return and BUFF slightly higher at 5.42%.

INOV

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 2.31%
• YTD: 5.40%
• 6M: 7.23%
• 1Y: 14.54%
• 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)

INOV vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
INOV Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - November	5.40%	20.64%	5.90%	7.73%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	12.05%	7.54%

Correlation

The correlation between INOV and BUFF is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2023	0.65

The correlation between INOV and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

INOV vs. BUFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	INOV	BUFF
Financial Services	24.7%	11.9%
Industrials	19.8%	8.1%
Healthcare	10.6%	8.4%
Technology	10.3%	36.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	4.9%
Basic Materials	5.9%	1.8%
Communication Services	4.5%	10.9%
Energy	4.0%	3.5%
Utilities	4.0%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%

Return for Risk

INOV vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

INOV

INOV Risk / Return Rank: 49
INOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
INOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
INOV Omega Ratio Rank: 56
INOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
INOV Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

INOV vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	INOV	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	2.80	-1.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	4.24	-1.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.58	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	4.02	-2.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.08	21.50	-13.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

INOV vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current INOV Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is lower than the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of INOV 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

	INOV	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.68	2.80	-1.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.82	0.49	+1.33

Drawdowns

INOV vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum INOV drawdown since its inception was -8.01%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for INOV and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	INOV	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.01%	-46.23%	+38.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.24%	-3.58%	-3.66%
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	-0.47%	-0.27%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.89%	-6.18%	+5.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.80%	0.67%	+1.13%

Volatility

INOV vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - November (INOV) has a higher volatility of 2.96% compared to Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) at 1.02%. This indicates that INOV'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

	INOV	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.96%	1.02%	+1.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.71%	3.83%	+3.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.69%	5.15%	+3.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.56%	8.41%	+0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.56%	17.67%	-9.11%

INOV vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

INOV vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither INOV 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%
INOV Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - November	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 INOV and BUFF in my portfolio?

INOV and BUFF have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, INOV or BUFF?

INOV has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to BUFF (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, INOV dropped -8.01% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, INOV or BUFF?

On 1-year performance, INOV leads with 14.54% vs 14.36% for BUFF. On fees, INOV 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, INOV or BUFF?

Over the 1-year period, INOV has performed better with a 14.54% return vs 14.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, INOV or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between INOV and BUFF?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 1.68), 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.