JANJ vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JANJ (Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - January) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JANJ is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. JANJ is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past year, JANJ returned 5.91% vs 14.36% for BUFF. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JANJ charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

JANJ vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - January (JANJ) 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, JANJ achieves a 2.40% return, which is significantly lower than BUFF's 5.42% return.

JANJ

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 2.40%
• 6M: 2.68%
• 1Y: 5.91%
• 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)

JANJ vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
JANJ Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - January	2.40%	5.22%	6.05%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	12.52%

Correlation

The correlation between JANJ and BUFF is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2024	0.71

The correlation between JANJ and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JANJ vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

JANJ

JANJ Risk / Return Rank: 81
JANJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
JANJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
JANJ Omega Ratio Rank: 94
JANJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
JANJ Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

JANJ vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - January (JANJ) 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.

	JANJ	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	2.80	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	4.24	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.58	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.16	4.02	-0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.10	21.50	-1.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JANJ vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JANJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JANJ 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

	JANJ	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	2.80	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	0.49	+0.76

Drawdowns

JANJ vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JANJ drawdown since its inception was -5.75%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JANJ and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	JANJ	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.75%	-46.23%	+40.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.88%	-3.58%	+1.70%
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	-0.04%	-0.27%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.18%	-6.18%	+6.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.29%	0.67%	-0.38%

Volatility

JANJ vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - January (JANJ) is 0.32%, while Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) has a volatility of 1.02%. This indicates that JANJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JANJ	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.32%	1.02%	-0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.43%	3.83%	-1.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53%	5.15%	-2.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.55%	8.41%	-3.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.55%	17.67%	-13.12%

JANJ vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

JANJ vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

JANJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.00%, while BUFF has not 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%
JANJ Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - January	5.00%	5.07%	5.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JANJ and BUFF in my portfolio?

JANJ and BUFF have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JANJ or BUFF?

BUFF has higher volatility (1.02%) compared to JANJ (0.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JANJ dropped -5.75% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, JANJ or BUFF?

On 1-year performance, BUFF leads with 14.36% vs 5.91% for JANJ. On fees, JANJ is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, JANJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JANJ or BUFF?

Over the 1-year period, BUFF has performed better with a 14.36% return vs 5.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JANJ or BUFF?

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

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

JANJ has the higher dividend yield at 5.00%, compared with 0.00% for BUFF.

What is the main difference between JANJ and BUFF?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 2.35), 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.