POCT vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

POCT (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - POCT is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect October Series Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, POCT returned 9.90%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. POCT charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

POCT vs. VTI - 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 Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, POCT achieves a 5.54% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 12.01% return.

POCT

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 2.06%
• YTD: 5.54%
• 6M: 6.22%
• 1Y: 15.20%
• 3Y*: 12.24%
• 5Y*: 9.90%
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 5.37%
• YTD: 12.01%
• 6M: 12.40%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.13%

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

POCT vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
POCT Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October	5.54%	11.00%	9.54%	20.12%	-1.26%	9.46%	10.40%	12.80%	-7.12%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	12.01%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-14.35%

Correlation

The correlation between POCT and VTI 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	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2018	0.89

The correlation between POCT and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

POCT vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	POCT	VTI
Technology	36.2%	33.5%
Financial Services	11.9%	12.0%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.0%
Healthcare	8.4%	9.2%
Industrials	8.1%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.7%
Energy	3.5%	3.7%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.4%
Basic Materials	1.8%	2.0%

Return for Risk

POCT vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

POCT

POCT Risk / Return Rank: 78
POCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
POCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
POCT Omega Ratio Rank: 82
POCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
POCT Martin Ratio Rank: 85

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 74
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. VTI - 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 Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	POCT	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	2.48	0.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.56	3.37	+0.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.45	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	3.44	+0.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.14	15.88	+2.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

POCT vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POCT Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POCT and VTI, 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

	POCT	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	2.48	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.25	0.75	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.51	+0.37

Drawdowns

POCT vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POCT drawdown since its inception was -18.80%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POCT and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	POCT	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.80%	-55.45%	+36.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.40%	-8.92%	+4.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.22%	-19.30%	+9.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.22%	-25.36%	+15.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.50%	-8.03%	+6.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.86%	1.93%	-1.07%

Volatility

POCT vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October (POCT) is 0.92%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 2.86%. This indicates that POCT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POCT	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.92%	2.86%	-1.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.78%	9.11%	-4.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.16%	12.15%	-5.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.94%	17.40%	-9.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.23%	18.30%	-8.07%

POCT vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

POCT has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

POCT vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

POCT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POCT and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, POCT and VTI 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 VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (2.86%) compared to POCT (0.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POCT dropped -18.80% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, POCT or VTI?

On 5-year performance, VTI leads with 13.05% vs 9.90% for POCT. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, POCT has been the lower-risk option at 0.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, POCT or VTI?

Over the 5-year period, VTI has performed better with a 13.05% return vs 9.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, POCT or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for POCT.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.00% for POCT.

What is the main difference between POCT and VTI?

POCT is categorized as Defined Outcome, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. POCT tracks Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect October Series Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for POCT and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 2.48), 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.