QTJA vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QTJA (Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTJA is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. QTJA is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QTJA returned 18.10%/yr vs 12.47%/yr for BUFF. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTJA charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

QTJA vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) 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, QTJA achieves a 10.75% return, which is significantly higher than BUFF's 5.42% return.

QTJA

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 3.73%
• YTD: 10.75%
• 6M: 11.53%
• 1Y: 26.02%
• 3Y*: 18.10%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 1.68%
• YTD: 5.42%
• 6M: 5.90%
• 1Y: 14.36%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 8.71%
• 10Y*: —

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

QTJA vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
QTJA Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January	10.75%	18.86%	18.47%	25.56%	-34.58%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.68%

Correlation

The correlation between QTJA and BUFF is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2022	0.84

The correlation between QTJA and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTJA vs. BUFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTJA	BUFF
Technology	54.2%	36.2%
Communication Services	15.5%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	4.9%
Healthcare	4.2%	8.4%
Industrials	2.8%	8.1%
Utilities	1.4%	2.3%
Basic Materials	1.2%	1.8%
Energy	0.6%	3.5%
Financial Services	0.2%	11.9%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.9%

Return for Risk

QTJA vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTJA

QTJA Risk / Return Rank: 74
QTJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QTJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
QTJA Omega Ratio Rank: 86
QTJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
QTJA Martin Ratio Rank: 75

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

QTJA vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) 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.

	QTJA	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	2.80	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	4.24	-0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.58	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	4.02	-1.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.08	21.50	-7.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTJA vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTJA Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTJA 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QTJA	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	2.80	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.49	-0.21

Drawdowns

QTJA vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTJA drawdown since its inception was -36.07%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTJA and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTJA	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.07%	-46.23%	+10.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.75%	-3.58%	-6.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.73%	-10.24%	-11.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.27%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.29%	-6.18%	-7.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	0.67%	+1.18%

Volatility

QTJA vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) has a higher volatility of 1.57% compared to Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) at 1.02%. This indicates that QTJA'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

	QTJA	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.57%	1.02%	+0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.42%	3.83%	+5.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.72%	5.15%	+5.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.45%	8.41%	+12.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.45%	17.67%	+2.78%

QTJA vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

QTJA vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither QTJA 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%
QTJA Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January	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 QTJA and BUFF in my portfolio?

QTJA and BUFF have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTJA or BUFF?

QTJA has higher volatility (1.57%) compared to BUFF (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTJA dropped -36.07% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, QTJA or BUFF?

On 3-year performance, QTJA leads with 18.10% vs 12.47% for BUFF. On fees, QTJA is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, BUFF has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTJA or BUFF?

Over the 3-year period, QTJA has performed better with a 18.10% return vs 12.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTJA or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between QTJA and BUFF?

QTJA is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QTJA and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 2.44), 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.