SPUT vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SPUT (Innovator Equity Premium Income Daily PutWrite ETF) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPUT is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. SPUT is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past year, SPUT returned 14.58% vs 13.10% for BUFF. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPUT charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

SPUT vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Premium Income Daily PutWrite ETF (SPUT) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SPUT having a 4.74% return and BUFF slightly higher at 4.91%.

SPUT

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: 4.74%
• 6M: 4.48%
• 1Y: 14.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -0.10%
• YTD: 4.91%
• 6M: 4.62%
• 1Y: 13.10%
• 3Y*: 11.92%
• 5Y*: 8.52%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPUT vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SPUT Innovator Equity Premium Income Daily PutWrite ETF	4.74%	13.49%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	4.91%	14.28%

Correlation

The correlation between SPUT and BUFF is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 2025	0.87

The correlation between SPUT and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPUT vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPUT

SPUT Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPUT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SPUT Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SPUT Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SPUT Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
SPUT Martin Ratio Rank: 80

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 85
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

SPUT vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Premium Income Daily PutWrite ETF (SPUT) 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.

	SPUT	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	2.51	-0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	3.76	-1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.51	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.84	3.67	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.69	19.13	-4.44

SPUT vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPUT Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPUT 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

SPUT vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPUT drawdown since its inception was -10.55%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPUT and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPUT	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.55%	-46.23%	+35.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.81%	-3.58%	-0.23%
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	-2.68%	-0.74%	-1.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.94%	-6.15%	+5.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	0.69%	+0.30%

Volatility

SPUT vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Equity Premium Income Daily PutWrite ETF (SPUT) has a higher volatility of 3.19% compared to Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) at 1.73%. This indicates that SPUT'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

	SPUT	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.19%	1.73%	+1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.18%	4.11%	+2.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.76%	5.27%	+2.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.35%	8.44%	+2.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.35%	17.63%	-6.28%

SPUT vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SPUT vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

SPUT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.15%, while BUFF has not 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%
SPUT Innovator Equity Premium Income Daily PutWrite ETF	5.15%	4.66%	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 SPUT and BUFF in my portfolio?

SPUT and BUFF have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPUT or BUFF?

SPUT has higher volatility (3.19%) compared to BUFF (1.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPUT dropped -10.55% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, SPUT or BUFF?

On 1-year performance, SPUT leads with 14.58% vs 13.10% for BUFF. On fees, SPUT is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, BUFF has been the lower-risk option at 1.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPUT or BUFF?

Over the 1-year period, SPUT has performed better with a 14.58% return vs 13.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPUT or BUFF?

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

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

SPUT has the higher dividend yield at 5.15%, compared with 0.00% for BUFF.

What is the main difference between SPUT and BUFF?

SPUT is categorized as Derivative Income, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for SPUT and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.90), 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.