POCT vs. BUFR

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

POCT (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. POCT is passively managed, while BUFR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, POCT returned 9.75%/yr vs 9.85%/yr for BUFR. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. POCT charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.

Performance

POCT vs. BUFR - 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 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, POCT achieves a 5.35% return, which is significantly lower than BUFR's 6.33% return.

POCT

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 5.35%
• 6M: 5.34%
• 1Y: 14.53%
• 3Y*: 11.75%
• 5Y*: 9.75%
• 10Y*: —

BUFR

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 6.33%
• 6M: 6.24%
• 1Y: 17.48%
• 3Y*: 13.95%
• 5Y*: 9.85%
• 10Y*: —

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

POCT vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
POCT Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October	5.35%	11.00%	9.54%	20.12%	-1.26%	9.46%	6.71%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	6.33%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-7.57%	11.88%	6.60%

Correlation

The correlation between POCT and BUFR is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2020	0.87

The correlation between POCT and BUFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

POCT vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

POCT

POCT Risk / Return Rank: 79
POCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
POCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
POCT Omega Ratio Rank: 83
POCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
POCT Martin Ratio Rank: 84

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. BUFR - 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 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.

	POCT	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.65	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	3.82	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.53	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	3.81	-0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.85	20.32	-3.47

POCT vs. BUFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POCT Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the BUFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POCT 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

POCT vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POCT drawdown since its inception was -18.80%, which is greater than BUFR's maximum drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POCT and BUFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	POCT	BUFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.80%	-13.73%	-5.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.40%	-4.61%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.22%	-12.81%	+2.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.22%	-13.73%	+3.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-0.30%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.49%	-2.08%	+0.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.86%	0.86%	0.00%

Volatility

POCT vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October (POCT) is 1.72%, while FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) has a volatility of 2.02%. This indicates that POCT 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

	POCT	BUFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.72%	2.02%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.95%	5.23%	-0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.18%	6.63%	-0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.97%	10.47%	-2.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.21%	10.22%	-0.01%

POCT vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

POCT vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison

Neither POCT nor BUFR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POCT and BUFR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, POCT 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, POCT or BUFR?

BUFR has higher volatility (2.02%) compared to POCT (1.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POCT dropped -18.80% vs BUFR's -13.73%.

Which ETF is better, POCT or BUFR?

On 5-year performance, BUFR leads with 9.85% vs 9.75% for POCT. On fees, POCT is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, POCT has been the lower-risk option at 1.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, POCT or BUFR?

Over the 5-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 9.85% return vs 9.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, POCT or BUFR?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between POCT and BUFR?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 2.37), 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.