UAPR vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UAPR (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - UAPR tracks the S&P 500 while BUFF tracks the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UAPR returned 6.54%/yr vs 8.71%/yr for BUFF. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. UAPR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

UAPR vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April (UAPR) 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, UAPR achieves a 6.99% return, which is significantly higher than BUFF's 5.42% return.

UAPR

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.43%
• YTD: 6.99%
• 6M: 7.70%
• 1Y: 14.02%
• 3Y*: 11.14%
• 5Y*: 6.54%
• 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)

UAPR vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
UAPR Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April	6.99%	6.27%	12.38%	10.60%	-5.67%	5.32%	-5.05%	6.74%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	8.37%	-12.08%	16.20%

Correlation

The correlation between UAPR 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	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2019	0.77

The correlation between UAPR and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

UAPR vs. BUFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UAPR	BUFF
Technology	33.6%	36.2%
Financial Services	12.2%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.5%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	10.1%
Healthcare	9.5%	8.4%
Industrials	8.5%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	4.9%
Energy	4.0%	3.5%
Utilities	2.6%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.8%

Return for Risk

UAPR vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

UAPR

UAPR Risk / Return Rank: 98
UAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
UAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
UAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 98
UAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
UAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

UAPR vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April (UAPR) 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.

	UAPR	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.40	2.80	+1.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.63	4.24	+3.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.06	1.58	+0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	14.51	4.02	+10.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	71.55	21.50	+50.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UAPR vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UAPR Sharpe Ratio is 4.40, which is higher than the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UAPR 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

	UAPR	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.40	2.80	+1.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96	1.04	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.49	+0.11

Drawdowns

UAPR vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UAPR drawdown since its inception was -14.61%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UAPR and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	UAPR	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.61%	-46.23%	+31.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.97%	-3.58%	+2.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.84%	-10.24%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.84%	-10.24%	-0.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.27%	+0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.31%	-6.18%	+2.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.20%	0.67%	-0.47%

Volatility

UAPR vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April (UAPR) is 0.78%, while Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) has a volatility of 1.02%. This indicates that UAPR 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

	UAPR	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.78%	1.02%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.26%	3.83%	-1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20%	5.15%	-1.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.88%	8.41%	-1.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.42%	17.67%	-9.25%

UAPR vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

UAPR vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither UAPR 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%
UAPR Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UAPR and BUFF in my portfolio?

UAPR 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, UAPR or BUFF?

BUFF has higher volatility (1.02%) compared to UAPR (0.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UAPR dropped -14.61% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, UAPR or BUFF?

On 5-year performance, BUFF leads with 8.71% vs 6.54% for UAPR. On fees, UAPR is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, UAPR has been the lower-risk option at 0.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UAPR or BUFF?

Over the 5-year period, BUFF has performed better with a 8.71% return vs 6.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UAPR or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between UAPR and BUFF?

UAPR tracks S&P 500, while BUFF tracks Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for UAPR and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.40 vs 2.80), 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.