LOUP vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LOUP (Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LOUP is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Deepwater Frontier Tech Index, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LOUP returned 12.98%/yr vs 8.71%/yr for BUFF. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LOUP charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

LOUP vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP) 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, LOUP achieves a 28.21% return, which is significantly higher than BUFF's 5.42% return.

LOUP

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: 18.57%
• YTD: 28.21%
• 6M: 26.83%
• 1Y: 75.49%
• 3Y*: 37.37%
• 5Y*: 12.98%
• 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)

LOUP vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
LOUP Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF	28.21%	43.24%	21.80%	51.31%	-46.00%	7.54%	86.25%	31.76%	-19.72%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	8.37%	-12.08%	32.32%	-3.31%

Correlation

The correlation between LOUP and BUFF is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2018	0.68

The correlation between LOUP and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

LOUP vs. BUFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LOUP	BUFF
Technology	51.0%	36.2%
Industrials	20.0%	8.1%
Communication Services	10.6%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	5.5%	10.1%
Financial Services	4.5%	11.9%
Energy	2.9%	3.5%
Utilities	2.8%	2.3%
Healthcare	2.7%	8.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.9%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

LOUP vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

LOUP

LOUP Risk / Return Rank: 71
LOUP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
LOUP Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
LOUP Omega Ratio Rank: 67
LOUP Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
LOUP Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

LOUP vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP) 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.

	LOUP	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	2.80	-0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	4.24	-1.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.58	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.61	4.02	-0.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.23	21.50	-9.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LOUP vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LOUP Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LOUP 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

	LOUP	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.66	2.80	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	1.04	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.49	+0.10

Drawdowns

LOUP vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LOUP drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, which is greater than BUFF's maximum drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LOUP and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	LOUP	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.68%	-46.23%	-12.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.00%	-3.58%	-17.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.23%	-10.24%	-24.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.63%	-10.24%	-45.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.87%	-0.27%	-1.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.04%	-6.18%	-13.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.19%	0.67%	+5.52%

Volatility

LOUP vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP) has a higher volatility of 8.23% compared to Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) at 1.02%. This indicates that LOUP'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

	LOUP	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.23%	1.02%	+7.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.94%	3.83%	+18.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.51%	5.15%	+23.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.38%	8.41%	+23.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.96%	17.67%	+14.29%

LOUP vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

LOUP has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFF's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

LOUP vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither LOUP 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%
LOUP Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF	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 LOUP and BUFF in my portfolio?

LOUP and BUFF have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LOUP or BUFF?

LOUP has higher volatility (8.23%) compared to BUFF (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LOUP dropped -58.68% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, LOUP or BUFF?

On 5-year performance, LOUP leads with 12.98% vs 8.71% for BUFF. On fees, LOUP is cheaper at 0.70% 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, LOUP or BUFF?

Over the 5-year period, LOUP has performed better with a 12.98% return vs 8.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LOUP or BUFF?

LOUP is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BUFF.

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

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

What is the main difference between LOUP and BUFF?

LOUP is categorized as Technology Equities, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. LOUP tracks Deepwater Frontier Tech Index, while BUFF tracks Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for LOUP and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 2.66), 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.