XUSP vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

XUSP (Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XUSP is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. XUSP is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XUSP returned 25.60%/yr vs 12.57%/yr for BUFF. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XUSP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

XUSP vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF (XUSP) 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, XUSP achieves a 13.64% return, which is significantly higher than BUFF's 5.70% return.

XUSP

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 7.26%
• YTD: 13.64%
• 6M: 13.55%
• 1Y: 36.05%
• 3Y*: 25.60%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.89%
• YTD: 5.70%
• 6M: 6.36%
• 1Y: 15.04%
• 3Y*: 12.57%
• 5Y*: 8.80%
• 10Y*: —

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

XUSP vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XUSP Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF	13.64%	18.27%	30.60%	26.46%	-9.24%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.70%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-1.35%

Correlation

The correlation between XUSP and BUFF is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 12, 2022	0.92

The correlation between XUSP and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

XUSP vs. BUFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XUSP	BUFF
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

XUSP vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

XUSP

XUSP Risk / Return Rank: 65
XUSP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
XUSP Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
XUSP Omega Ratio Rank: 64
XUSP Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
XUSP Martin Ratio Rank: 68

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 89
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 92
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
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.

XUSP vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	XUSP	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.94	-0.66
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	4.44	-1.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.61	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	4.30	-1.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.72	23.03	-10.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XUSP vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XUSP Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XUSP 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

	XUSP	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	2.94	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.05	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.06	0.49	+0.57

Drawdowns

XUSP vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XUSP drawdown since its inception was -22.59%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XUSP and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	XUSP	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.59%	-46.23%	+23.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.13%	-3.58%	-8.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.59%	-10.24%	-12.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.43%	-6.19%	+1.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	0.67%	+2.19%

Volatility

XUSP vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF (XUSP) has a higher volatility of 4.07% compared to Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) at 0.96%. This indicates that XUSP'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

	XUSP	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.07%	0.96%	+3.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.89%	3.82%	+8.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.87%	5.15%	+10.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.21%	8.41%	+10.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.21%	17.68%	+1.53%

XUSP vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XUSP vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither XUSP 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%
XUSP Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity 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 XUSP and BUFF in my portfolio?

XUSP and BUFF have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XUSP or BUFF?

XUSP has higher volatility (4.07%) compared to BUFF (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XUSP dropped -22.59% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, XUSP or BUFF?

On 3-year performance, XUSP leads with 25.60% vs 12.57% for BUFF. On fees, XUSP is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, BUFF has been the lower-risk option at 0.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XUSP or BUFF?

Over the 3-year period, XUSP has performed better with a 25.60% return vs 12.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XUSP or BUFF?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between XUSP and BUFF?

XUSP is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for XUSP and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.28), 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.