PFEB vs. BUFR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PFEB (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - February) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. PFEB is passively managed, while BUFR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFEB returned 8.59%/yr vs 9.61%/yr for BUFR. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PFEB charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.

Performance

PFEB vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - February (PFEB) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFEB achieves a 5.11% return, which is significantly lower than BUFR's 5.63% return.

PFEB

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.02%
• YTD: 5.11%
• 6M: 5.08%
• 1Y: 14.19%
• 3Y*: 12.04%
• 5Y*: 8.59%
• 10Y*: —

BUFR

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: -0.22%
• YTD: 5.63%
• 6M: 5.31%
• 1Y: 15.99%
• 3Y*: 13.70%
• 5Y*: 9.61%
• 10Y*: —

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

PFEB vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PFEB Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - February	5.11%	10.65%	12.71%	14.96%	-2.84%	11.52%	4.09%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	5.63%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-7.57%	11.88%	6.60%

Correlation

The correlation between PFEB and BUFR is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2020	0.88

The correlation between PFEB and BUFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PFEB vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFEB

PFEB Risk / Return Rank: 80
PFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
PFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
PFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 86
PFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
PFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 84

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 82
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

PFEB vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - February (PFEB) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). 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.

	PFEB	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.42	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	3.48	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.48	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.49	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.79	18.54	-2.75

PFEB vs. BUFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFEB Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the BUFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFEB and BUFR, 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

PFEB vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFEB drawdown since its inception was -19.98%, which is greater than BUFR's maximum drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFEB and BUFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFEB	BUFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.98%	-13.73%	-6.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.71%	-4.61%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.58%	-12.81%	+2.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.05%	-13.73%	+2.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.96%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.82%	-2.08%	+0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	0.86%	+0.04%

Volatility

PFEB vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - February (PFEB) is 1.83%, while FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) has a volatility of 2.13%. This indicates that PFEB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFEB	BUFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.83%	2.13%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.83%	5.25%	-0.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.07%	6.65%	-0.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.26%	10.48%	-2.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.29%	10.22%	+1.07%

PFEB vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFEB has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFEB vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison

Neither PFEB nor BUFR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFEB and BUFR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, PFEB and BUFR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PFEB or BUFR?

BUFR has higher volatility (2.13%) compared to PFEB (1.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFEB dropped -19.98% vs BUFR's -13.73%.

Which ETF is better, PFEB or BUFR?

On 5-year performance, BUFR leads with 9.61% vs 8.59% for PFEB. On fees, PFEB is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, PFEB has been the lower-risk option at 1.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PFEB or BUFR?

Over the 5-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 9.61% return vs 8.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFEB or BUFR?

PFEB is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PFEB or BUFR?

PFEB and BUFR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PFEB and BUFR?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for PFEB and 0.95% for BUFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.36), 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.