XTJL vs. BUFF

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

XTJL (Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XTJL is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. XTJL is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XTJL returned 9.59%/yr vs 8.59%/yr for BUFF. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XTJL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

XTJL vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July (XTJL) 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 XTJL having a 5.76% return and BUFF slightly higher at 5.94%.

XTJL

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 0.36%
• 6M: 4.80%
• YTD: 5.76%
• 1Y: 13.62%
• 3Y*: 14.14%
• 5Y*: 9.59%
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.97%
• 6M: 5.01%
• YTD: 5.94%
• 1Y: 12.05%
• 3Y*: 11.38%
• 5Y*: 8.59%
• 10Y*: —

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

XTJL vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XTJL Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July	5.76%	15.42%	14.43%	25.72%	-15.66%	7.81%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.94%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	3.28%

Correlation

The correlation between XTJL and BUFF is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2021	0.91

The correlation between XTJL and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XTJL vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

XTJL

XTJL Risk / Return Rank: 78
XTJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
XTJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
XTJL Omega Ratio Rank: 86
XTJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
XTJL Martin Ratio Rank: 88

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 89
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

XTJL vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	XTJL	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	2.33	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	3.50	-0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.47	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	3.38	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.12	17.49	-2.37

XTJL vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XTJL Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XTJL 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

XTJL vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XTJL drawdown since its inception was -23.24%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTJL and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	XTJL	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.24%	-46.23%	+22.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.12%	-3.58%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.70%	-10.24%	-6.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.24%	-10.24%	-13.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-0.32%	-0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.96%	-6.12%	+2.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	0.69%	+0.21%

Volatility

XTJL vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July (XTJL) is 1.25%, while Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) has a volatility of 1.61%. This indicates that XTJL 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

	XTJL	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.25%	1.61%	-0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.71%	4.14%	+1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.40%	5.20%	+2.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.10%	8.44%	+6.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.07%	17.59%	-2.52%

XTJL vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XTJL vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

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

XTJL and BUFF have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XTJL or BUFF?

BUFF has higher volatility (1.61%) compared to XTJL (1.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTJL dropped -23.24% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, XTJL or BUFF?

On 5-year performance, XTJL leads with 9.59% vs 8.59% for BUFF. On fees, XTJL is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, XTJL has been the lower-risk option at 1.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XTJL or BUFF?

Over the 5-year period, XTJL has performed better with a 9.59% return vs 8.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XTJL or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between XTJL and BUFF?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.85), 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.