PJUL vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PJUL (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - PJUL tracks the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index July while BUFF tracks the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PJUL returned 10.43%/yr vs 8.52%/yr for BUFF. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PJUL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

PJUL vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PJUL having a 4.80% return and BUFF slightly higher at 4.91%.

PJUL

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 4.80%
• 6M: 4.60%
• 1Y: 14.31%
• 3Y*: 13.24%
• 5Y*: 10.43%
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -0.10%
• YTD: 4.91%
• 6M: 4.62%
• 1Y: 13.10%
• 3Y*: 11.92%
• 5Y*: 8.52%
• 10Y*: —

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

PJUL vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PJUL Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July	4.80%	12.78%	13.76%	19.87%	-2.08%	7.20%	7.51%	12.47%	-5.39%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	4.91%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	8.37%	-12.08%	32.32%	-4.88%

Correlation

The correlation between PJUL and BUFF is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 8, 2018	0.80

The correlation between PJUL and BUFF shifts across timeframes, from 0.80 (all time) to 0.91 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PJUL vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

PJUL

PJUL Risk / Return Rank: 90
PJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
PJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 93
PJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
PJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 93

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 85
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

PJUL vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July (PJUL) 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.

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.

	PJUL	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.82	2.51	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.28	3.76	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.51	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.94	3.67	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.20	19.13	+3.06

PJUL vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PJUL Sharpe Ratio is 2.82, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PJUL 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.

Drawdowns

PJUL vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PJUL drawdown since its inception was -18.17%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PJUL and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PJUL	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.17%	-46.23%	+28.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.64%	-3.58%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.69%	-10.24%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.69%	-10.24%	-0.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.74%	+0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.46%	-6.15%	+4.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.65%	0.69%	-0.04%

Volatility

PJUL vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July (PJUL) is 0.65%, while Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) has a volatility of 1.73%. This indicates that PJUL 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

	PJUL	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.65%	1.73%	-1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.87%	4.11%	-0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.22%	5.27%	-0.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.61%	8.44%	+0.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.00%	17.63%	-7.63%

PJUL vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

PJUL vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither PJUL 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%
PJUL Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.82%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PJUL and BUFF in my portfolio?

PJUL and BUFF have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PJUL or BUFF?

BUFF has higher volatility (1.73%) compared to PJUL (0.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PJUL dropped -18.17% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, PJUL or BUFF?

On 5-year performance, PJUL leads with 10.43% vs 8.52% for BUFF. On fees, PJUL is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, PJUL has been the lower-risk option at 0.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PJUL or BUFF?

Over the 5-year period, PJUL has performed better with a 10.43% return vs 8.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PJUL or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between PJUL and BUFF?

PJUL tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index July, while BUFF tracks Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for PJUL and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PJUL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs 2.51), 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.