XTAP vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XTAP (Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XTAP is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. XTAP is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XTAP returned 10.99%/yr vs 8.71%/yr for BUFF. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XTAP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

XTAP vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF (XTAP) 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, XTAP achieves a 10.96% return, which is significantly higher than BUFF's 5.42% return.

XTAP

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: 10.96%
• 6M: 12.10%
• 1Y: 21.00%
• 3Y*: 17.90%
• 5Y*: 10.99%
• 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)

XTAP vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XTAP Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF	10.96%	17.58%	14.26%	23.46%	-14.68%	11.87%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	5.48%

Correlation

The correlation between XTAP and BUFF is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2021	0.89

The correlation between XTAP and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

XTAP vs. BUFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XTAP	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

XTAP vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

XTAP

XTAP Risk / Return Rank: 98
XTAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
XTAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
XTAP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
XTAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
XTAP 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.

XTAP vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF (XTAP) 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.

	XTAP	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.50	2.80	+1.70
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	7.78	4.24	+3.54
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.22	1.58	+0.63
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	14.82	4.02	+10.80
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	78.70	21.50	+57.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XTAP vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XTAP Sharpe Ratio is 4.50, which is higher than the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XTAP 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

	XTAP	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.50	2.80	+1.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	1.04	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.49	+0.31

Drawdowns

XTAP vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XTAP drawdown since its inception was -22.13%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTAP and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	XTAP	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.13%	-46.23%	+24.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.42%	-3.58%	+2.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.83%	-10.24%	-1.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.13%	-10.24%	-11.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.27%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.45%	-6.18%	+2.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.27%	0.67%	-0.40%

Volatility

XTAP vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF (XTAP) has a higher volatility of 1.10% compared to Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) at 1.02%. This indicates that XTAP'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

	XTAP	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.10%	1.02%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.16%	3.83%	-0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.70%	5.15%	-0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.54%	8.41%	+6.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.41%	17.67%	-3.26%

XTAP vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XTAP vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither XTAP 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%
XTAP Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF	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 XTAP and BUFF in my portfolio?

XTAP and BUFF have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XTAP or BUFF?

XTAP has higher volatility (1.10%) compared to BUFF (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTAP dropped -22.13% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, XTAP or BUFF?

On 5-year performance, XTAP leads with 10.99% vs 8.71% for BUFF. On fees, XTAP is cheaper at 0.79% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XTAP or BUFF?

Over the 5-year period, XTAP has performed better with a 10.99% return vs 8.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XTAP or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between XTAP and BUFF?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XTAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.50 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.