QTJL vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QTJL (Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTJL is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. QTJL is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QTJL returned 19.20%/yr vs 12.47%/yr for BUFF. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTJL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

QTJL vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July (QTJL) 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, QTJL achieves a 7.15% return, which is significantly higher than BUFF's 5.42% return.

QTJL

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 7.15%
• 6M: 7.91%
• 1Y: 20.52%
• 3Y*: 19.20%
• 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)

QTJL vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QTJL Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July	7.15%	21.07%	16.50%	42.39%	-30.16%	9.32%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	3.21%

Correlation

The correlation between QTJL and BUFF is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2021	0.86

The correlation between QTJL and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTJL vs. BUFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTJL	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

QTJL vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTJL

QTJL Risk / Return Rank: 68
QTJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
QTJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
QTJL Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QTJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
QTJL Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

QTJL vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	QTJL	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.80	-0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	4.24	-1.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.58	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	4.02	-0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.23	21.50	-5.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTJL vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTJL Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTJL 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

	QTJL	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.80	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.49	+0.03

Drawdowns

QTJL vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTJL drawdown since its inception was -33.40%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTJL and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTJL	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.40%	-46.23%	+12.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.68%	-3.58%	-3.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.43%	-10.24%	-12.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	-0.27%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.94%	-6.18%	-1.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.27%	0.67%	+0.60%

Volatility

QTJL vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July (QTJL) is 0.31%, while Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) has a volatility of 1.02%. This indicates that QTJL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTJL	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.31%	1.02%	-0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.61%	3.83%	+3.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.01%	5.15%	+4.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.42%	8.41%	+12.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.42%	17.67%	+2.75%

QTJL vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

QTJL vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither QTJL 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%
QTJL Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July	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 QTJL and BUFF in my portfolio?

QTJL and BUFF have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTJL or BUFF?

BUFF has higher volatility (1.02%) compared to QTJL (0.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTJL dropped -33.40% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, QTJL or BUFF?

On 3-year performance, QTJL leads with 19.20% vs 12.47% for BUFF. On fees, QTJL is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, QTJL has been the lower-risk option at 0.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTJL or BUFF?

Over the 3-year period, QTJL has performed better with a 19.20% return vs 12.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTJL or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between QTJL and BUFF?

QTJL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QTJL and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 2.06), 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.