LAPR vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

LAPR (Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - April) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LAPR is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. LAPR is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past year, LAPR returned 7.17% vs 15.04% for BUFF. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LAPR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

LAPR vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - April (LAPR) 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, LAPR achieves a 3.36% return, which is significantly lower than BUFF's 5.70% return.

LAPR

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 3.36%
• 6M: 3.82%
• 1Y: 7.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.89%
• YTD: 5.70%
• 6M: 6.36%
• 1Y: 15.04%
• 3Y*: 12.57%
• 5Y*: 8.80%
• 10Y*: —

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

LAPR vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LAPR Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - April	3.36%	5.81%	4.82%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.70%	11.02%	7.83%

Correlation

The correlation between LAPR and BUFF is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2024	0.69

The correlation between LAPR and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LAPR vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

LAPR

LAPR Risk / Return Rank: 99
LAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
LAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
LAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 99
LAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
LAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 99

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 89
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 92
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

LAPR vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - April (LAPR) 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.

	LAPR	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	5.70	2.94	+2.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	12.42	4.44	+7.98
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.99	1.61	+1.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	30.20	4.30	+25.90
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	151.22	23.03	+128.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LAPR vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LAPR Sharpe Ratio is 5.70, which is higher than the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LAPR 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

	LAPR	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.70	2.94	+2.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.05	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.98	0.49	+1.49

Drawdowns

LAPR vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LAPR drawdown since its inception was -3.81%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LAPR and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	LAPR	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.81%	-46.23%	+42.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.24%	-3.58%	+3.34%
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	-0.08%	0.00%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.11%	-6.19%	+6.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.05%	0.67%	-0.62%

Volatility

LAPR vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - April (LAPR) is 0.33%, while Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) has a volatility of 0.96%. This indicates that LAPR 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

	LAPR	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.33%	0.96%	-0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.99%	3.82%	-2.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26%	5.15%	-3.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.30%	8.41%	-5.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.30%	17.68%	-14.38%

LAPR vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

LAPR vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

LAPR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.52%, 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%
LAPR Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - April	5.52%	5.40%	4.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LAPR and BUFF in my portfolio?

LAPR and BUFF have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LAPR or BUFF?

BUFF has higher volatility (0.96%) compared to LAPR (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LAPR dropped -3.81% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, LAPR or BUFF?

On 1-year performance, BUFF leads with 15.04% vs 7.17% for LAPR. On fees, LAPR is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, LAPR has been the lower-risk option at 0.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LAPR or BUFF?

Over the 1-year period, BUFF has performed better with a 15.04% return vs 7.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LAPR or BUFF?

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

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

LAPR has the higher dividend yield at 5.52%, compared with 0.00% for BUFF.

What is the main difference between LAPR and BUFF?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.70 vs 2.94), 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.