TFJL vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TFJL (Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond 5 Floor ETF - Quarterly) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. TFJL is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, TFJL returned -3.76%/yr vs 8.71%/yr for BUFF. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TFJL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

TFJL vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond 5 Floor ETF - Quarterly (TFJL) 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, TFJL achieves a -2.35% return, which is significantly lower than BUFF's 5.42% return.

TFJL

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: -2.35%
• 6M: -4.14%
• 1Y: -2.72%
• 3Y*: -1.72%
• 5Y*: -3.76%
• 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)

TFJL vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
TFJL Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond 5 Floor ETF - Quarterly	-2.35%	-0.81%	-6.79%	8.23%	-17.17%	-2.46%	-1.98%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	8.37%	4.28%

Correlation

The correlation between TFJL and BUFF is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2020	0.04

The correlation between TFJL and BUFF shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (all time) to 0.20 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TFJL vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

TFJL

TFJL Risk / Return Rank: 6
TFJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
TFJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
TFJL Omega Ratio Rank: 5
TFJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
TFJL Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

TFJL vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond 5 Floor ETF - Quarterly (TFJL) 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.

	TFJL	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.33	2.80	-3.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.42	4.24	-4.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	1.58	-0.63
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.32	4.02	-4.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.73	21.50	-22.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TFJL vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TFJL Sharpe Ratio is -0.33, which is lower than the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TFJL 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

	TFJL	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.33	2.80	-3.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.40	1.04	-1.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.48	0.49	-0.97

Drawdowns

TFJL vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TFJL drawdown since its inception was -25.45%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TFJL and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	TFJL	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.45%	-46.23%	+20.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.50%	-3.58%	-4.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.72%	-10.24%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.45%	-10.24%	-13.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.83%	-0.27%	-22.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.02%	-6.18%	-8.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.74%	0.67%	+3.07%

Volatility

TFJL vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond 5 Floor ETF - Quarterly (TFJL) has a higher volatility of 1.99% compared to Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) at 1.02%. This indicates that TFJL'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

	TFJL	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.99%	1.02%	+0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.67%	3.83%	+1.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.22%	5.15%	+3.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.34%	8.41%	+0.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.03%	17.67%	-8.64%

TFJL vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

TFJL vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither TFJL 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%
TFJL Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond 5 Floor 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 TFJL and BUFF in my portfolio?

TFJL and BUFF have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TFJL or BUFF?

TFJL has higher volatility (1.99%) compared to BUFF (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TFJL dropped -25.45% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, TFJL or BUFF?

On 5-year performance, BUFF leads with 8.71% vs -3.76% for TFJL. On fees, TFJL 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, TFJL or BUFF?

Over the 5-year period, BUFF has performed better with a 8.71% return vs -3.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TFJL or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between TFJL and BUFF?

Their fees differ too: 0.79% for TFJL and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs -0.33), 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.