QFLR vs. QBUF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QFLR (Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF) and QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) are both Nasdaq-100 funds from Innovator. QFLR is actively managed, while QBUF is passively managed. Over the past year, QFLR returned 26.98% vs 11.93% for QBUF. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QFLR charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QBUF.

Performance

QFLR vs. QBUF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QFLR achieves a 6.90% return, which is significantly higher than QBUF's 4.68% return.

QFLR

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 3.99%
• YTD: 6.90%
• 6M: 5.88%
• 1Y: 26.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QBUF

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 4.68%
• 6M: 4.57%
• 1Y: 11.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QFLR vs. QBUF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QFLR Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF	6.90%	17.27%	5.64%
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	4.68%	11.08%	5.92%

Correlation

The correlation between QFLR and QBUF is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2024	0.81

The correlation between QFLR and QBUF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

QFLR vs. QBUF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QFLR	QBUF
Technology	50.8%	50.7%
Communication Services	18.4%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.1%	12.5%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	8.7%
Healthcare	3.2%	5.1%
Industrials	2.8%	3.3%
Utilities	1.5%	1.6%
Energy	1.1%	0.7%
Financial Services	0.9%	0.2%
Basic Materials	0.0%	1.3%
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

QFLR vs. QBUF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QFLR

QFLR Risk / Return Rank: 74
QFLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
QFLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
QFLR Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QFLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
QFLR Martin Ratio Rank: 78

QBUF

QBUF Risk / Return Rank: 79
QBUF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
QBUF Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
QBUF Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QBUF Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
QBUF Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

QFLR vs. QBUF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	QFLR	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	2.28	+0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.26	3.20	+0.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.48	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	5.19	-1.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.19	17.79	-2.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QFLR vs. QBUF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QFLR Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the QBUF Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QFLR and QBUF, 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

	QFLR	QBUF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	2.28	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.40	1.36	+0.04

Drawdowns

QFLR vs. QBUF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QFLR drawdown since its inception was -13.97%, which is greater than QBUF's maximum drawdown of -8.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QFLR and QBUF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QFLR	QBUF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.97%	-8.84%	-5.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.61%	-2.31%	-5.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-0.01%	-0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.50%	-0.82%	-1.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	0.67%	+1.11%

Volatility

QFLR vs. QBUF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF (QFLR) has a higher volatility of 2.53% compared to Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) at 0.23%. This indicates that QFLR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QBUF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QFLR	QBUF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.53%	0.23%	+2.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.05%	3.88%	+4.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.28%	5.25%	+6.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.62%	8.47%	+4.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.62%	8.47%	+4.15%

QFLR vs. QBUF - Expense Ratio Comparison

QFLR has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than QBUF's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

QFLR vs. QBUF - Dividend Comparison

Neither QFLR nor QBUF has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QFLR Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF	0.00%	0.02%	0.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QFLR and QBUF in my portfolio?

QFLR and QBUF have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QFLR or QBUF?

QFLR has higher volatility (2.53%) compared to QBUF (0.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QFLR dropped -13.97% vs QBUF's -8.84%.

Which ETF is better, QFLR or QBUF?

On 1-year performance, QFLR leads with 26.98% vs 11.93% for QBUF. On fees, QBUF is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, QBUF has been the lower-risk option at 0.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QFLR or QBUF?

Over the 1-year period, QFLR has performed better with a 26.98% return vs 11.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QFLR or QBUF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between QFLR and QBUF?

Their fees differ too: 0.89% for QFLR and 0.79% for QBUF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QFLR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.28), 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.