KMAR vs. BUFP

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

KMAR (Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March) and BUFP (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds - KMAR tracks the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) Price Return while BUFP tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, KMAR returned 23.68% vs 14.59% for BUFP. Their correlation of 0.81 means they have usually moved in the same direction. KMAR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for BUFP.

Performance

KMAR vs. BUFP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March (KMAR) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KMAR achieves a 13.38% return, which is significantly higher than BUFP's 8.36% return.

KMAR

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 1.35%
• 6M: 10.08%
• YTD: 13.38%
• 1Y: 23.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.90%

BUFP

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 1.85%
• 6M: 7.59%
• YTD: 8.36%
• 1Y: 14.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.07%

*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)
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	$1.09M	$1.22M	$1.51M
KMAR Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March	$119.64K	$74.39K	$163.01K

KMAR vs. BUFP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
KMAR Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March	13.38%	11.45%
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	8.36%	11.16%

Correlation

The correlation between KMAR and BUFP is 0.77, 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.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2025	0.81

The correlation between KMAR and BUFP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KMAR vs. BUFP — Risk / Return Rank

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

KMAR

KMAR Risk / Return Rank: 93
KMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
KMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
KMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 93
KMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
KMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 94

BUFP

BUFP Risk / Return Rank: 88
BUFP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
BUFP Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BUFP Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BUFP Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
BUFP 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.

KMAR vs. BUFP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March (KMAR) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). 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.

	KMAR	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	2.29	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	3.39	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.46	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.86	3.32	+1.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.55	17.76	+2.79

KMAR vs. BUFP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KMAR Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is comparable to the BUFP Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KMAR and BUFP, 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

KMAR vs. BUFP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KMAR drawdown since its inception was -11.32%, smaller than the maximum BUFP drawdown of -11.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KMAR and BUFP.

Drawdown Indicators

	KMAR	BUFP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.32%	-11.98%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.89%	-4.41%	-0.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.26%	-0.96%	-0.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.16%	0.82%	+0.34%

Volatility

KMAR vs. BUFP - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March (KMAR) has a higher volatility of 1.88% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP) at 1.78%. This indicates that KMAR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KMAR	BUFP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.88%	1.78%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.81%	5.28%	+1.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.16%	6.45%	+2.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.77%	9.30%	+2.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.77%	9.30%	+2.47%

KMAR vs. BUFP - Expense Ratio Comparison

KMAR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

KMAR vs. BUFP - Dividend Comparison

KMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BUFP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.02%
KMAR Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KMAR and BUFP in my portfolio?

KMAR and BUFP have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KMAR or BUFP?

KMAR has higher volatility (1.88%) compared to BUFP (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KMAR dropped -11.32% vs BUFP's -11.98%.

Which ETF is better, KMAR or BUFP?

On 1-year performance, KMAR leads with 23.68% vs 14.59% for BUFP. On fees, BUFP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, BUFP has been the lower-risk option at 1.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KMAR or BUFP?

Over the 1-year period, KMAR has performed better with a 23.68% return vs 14.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KMAR or BUFP?

BUFP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for KMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KMAR or BUFP?

BUFP has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for KMAR.

What is the main difference between KMAR and BUFP?

KMAR tracks iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) Price Return, while BUFP tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for KMAR and 0.50% for BUFP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 2.29), 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.