UNOV vs. RAFE

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

UNOV (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - UNOV tracks the Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect November Series Index while RAFE tracks the RAFI ESG US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UNOV returned 6.41%/yr vs 11.13%/yr for RAFE. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. UNOV charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

UNOV vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UNOV achieves a 4.57% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 13.50% return.

UNOV

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: 4.57%
• 6M: 4.19%
• 1Y: 11.27%
• 3Y*: 9.44%
• 5Y*: 6.41%
• 10Y*: —

RAFE

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 2.27%
• YTD: 13.50%
• 6M: 12.30%
• 1Y: 28.30%
• 3Y*: 19.09%
• 5Y*: 11.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

UNOV vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	4.57%	9.92%	9.42%	14.18%	-6.23%	4.45%	8.31%	0.27%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	13.50%	17.60%	13.81%	18.80%	-13.76%	30.16%	5.29%	0.43%

Correlation

The correlation between UNOV and RAFE is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2019	0.75

The correlation between UNOV and RAFE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

UNOV vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

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

UNOV

UNOV Risk / Return Rank: 70
UNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
UNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
UNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 76
UNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
UNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 73

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 84
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 83
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

UNOV vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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.

	UNOV	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	2.48	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	3.46	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.44	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	3.81	-1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.94	14.74	-2.80

UNOV vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UNOV Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UNOV and RAFE, 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

UNOV vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UNOV drawdown since its inception was -13.84%, smaller than the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UNOV and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	UNOV	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.84%	-35.74%	+21.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.52%	-7.46%	+2.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.10%	-16.36%	+7.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.10%	-24.28%	+15.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.02%	-1.21%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.65%	-6.17%	+4.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	1.93%	-0.98%

Volatility

UNOV vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV) is 2.03%, while PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) has a volatility of 3.71%. This indicates that UNOV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RAFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UNOV	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.03%	3.71%	-1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.96%	8.70%	-3.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.78%	11.51%	-5.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.88%	15.10%	-8.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.72%	19.39%	-11.67%

UNOV vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

UNOV has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

UNOV vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

UNOV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.50%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UNOV and RAFE in my portfolio?

UNOV and RAFE have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UNOV or RAFE?

RAFE has higher volatility (3.71%) compared to UNOV (2.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UNOV dropped -13.84% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, UNOV or RAFE?

On 5-year performance, RAFE leads with 11.13% vs 6.41% for UNOV. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, UNOV has been the lower-risk option at 2.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UNOV or RAFE?

Over the 5-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 11.13% return vs 6.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UNOV or RAFE?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for UNOV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UNOV or RAFE?

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 0.00% for UNOV.

What is the main difference between UNOV and RAFE?

UNOV tracks Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect November Series Index, while RAFE tracks RAFI ESG US Index. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for UNOV and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.97), 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.