QBUF vs. BUFF

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QBUF is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Invesco QQQ Trust, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the FTSE Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QBUF returned 9.46% vs 12.58% for BUFF. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QBUF charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

QBUF vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QBUF achieves a 3.75% return, which is significantly lower than BUFF's 6.78% return.

QBUF

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 0.01%
• 6M: 2.65%
• YTD: 3.75%
• 1Y: 9.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.01%

BUFF

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 1.16%
• 6M: 5.55%
• YTD: 6.78%
• 1Y: 12.58%
• 3Y*: 11.80%
• 5Y*: 8.73%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.67%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	$5.94M	$5.18M	$4.36M
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	$840.97K	$1.01M	$957.50K

QBUF vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	3.75%	11.08%	5.90%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	6.78%	11.02%	4.76%

Correlation

The correlation between QBUF and BUFF is 0.76, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2024	0.75

The correlation between QBUF and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QBUF vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QBUF

QBUF Risk / Return Rank: 67
QBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
QBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
QBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 69
QBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
QBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 79

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 91
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 93
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QBUF vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) 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.

	QBUF	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	2.40	-0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	3.63	-1.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.48	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	3.53	-1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.08	18.02	-6.95

QBUF vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QBUF Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is lower than the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QBUF 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

QBUF vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QBUF drawdown since its inception was -8.84%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QBUF and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QBUF	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.84%	-46.23%	+37.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.99%	-3.58%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.24%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.17%	0.00%	-1.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.83%	-6.08%	+5.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.86%	0.70%	+0.16%

Volatility

QBUF vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) has a higher volatility of 3.33% compared to Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) at 1.54%. This indicates that QBUF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QBUF	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	1.54%	+1.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.63%	4.25%	+0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.14%	5.28%	+0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.45%	8.46%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.45%	17.54%	-9.09%

QBUF vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

QBUF vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither QBUF 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%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QBUF and BUFF in my portfolio?

QBUF and BUFF have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QBUF or BUFF?

QBUF has higher volatility (3.33%) compared to BUFF (1.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QBUF dropped -8.84% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, QBUF or BUFF?

On 1-year performance, BUFF leads with 12.58% vs 9.46% for QBUF. On fees, QBUF is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, BUFF has been the lower-risk option at 1.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QBUF or BUFF?

Over the 1-year period, BUFF has performed better with a 12.58% return vs 9.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QBUF or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between QBUF and BUFF?

QBUF is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. QBUF tracks Invesco QQQ Trust, while BUFF tracks FTSE Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QBUF and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.55), 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.