POCT vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

POCT (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - POCT tracks the Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect October Series Index while BUFF tracks the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, POCT returned 9.65%/yr vs 8.52%/yr for BUFF. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. POCT charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

POCT vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October (POCT) 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 POCT having a 4.83% return and BUFF slightly higher at 4.91%.

POCT

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 0.04%
• YTD: 4.83%
• 6M: 4.49%
• 1Y: 13.26%
• 3Y*: 11.57%
• 5Y*: 9.65%
• 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)

POCT vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
POCT Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October	4.83%	11.00%	9.54%	20.12%	-1.26%	9.46%	10.40%	12.80%	-7.15%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	4.91%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	8.37%	-12.08%	32.32%	-5.49%

Correlation

The correlation between POCT and BUFF is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2018	0.80

The correlation between POCT and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

POCT vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

POCT

POCT Risk / Return Rank: 74
POCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
POCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
POCT Omega Ratio Rank: 78
POCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
POCT Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

POCT vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	POCT	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.51	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.08	3.76	-0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.51	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	3.67	-0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.34	19.13	-3.79

POCT vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POCT Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POCT 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

POCT vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POCT drawdown since its inception was -18.80%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POCT and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	POCT	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.80%	-46.23%	+27.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.40%	-3.58%	-0.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.22%	-10.24%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.22%	-10.24%	+0.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-0.74%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.49%	-6.15%	+4.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	0.69%	+0.18%

Volatility

POCT vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October (POCT) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) have volatilities of 1.80% and 1.73%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POCT	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.80%	1.73%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.96%	4.11%	+0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.19%	5.27%	+0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.97%	8.44%	-0.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.21%	17.63%	-7.42%

POCT vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

POCT vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither POCT 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%
POCT Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POCT and BUFF in my portfolio?

POCT and BUFF have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, POCT or BUFF?

POCT has higher volatility (1.80%) compared to BUFF (1.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POCT dropped -18.80% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, POCT or BUFF?

On 5-year performance, POCT leads with 9.65% vs 8.52% for BUFF. On fees, POCT is cheaper at 0.79% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, POCT or BUFF?

Over the 5-year period, POCT has performed better with a 9.65% return vs 8.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, POCT or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between POCT and BUFF?

POCT tracks Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect October Series Index, while BUFF tracks Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for POCT and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.16), 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.