ZALT vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZALT (Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZALT is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. ZALT is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past year, ZALT returned 10.35% vs 14.36% for BUFF. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZALT charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

ZALT vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) 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, ZALT achieves a 3.61% return, which is significantly lower than BUFF's 5.42% return.

ZALT

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 3.61%
• 6M: 3.99%
• 1Y: 10.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

ZALT vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ZALT Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	3.61%	9.44%	11.92%	3.95%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	11.02%	12.05%	7.00%

Correlation

The correlation between ZALT and BUFF is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2023	0.77

The correlation between ZALT and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

ZALT vs. BUFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ZALT	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

ZALT vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZALT

ZALT Risk / Return Rank: 85
ZALT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
ZALT Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ZALT Omega Ratio Rank: 86
ZALT Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ZALT Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

ZALT vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) 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.

	ZALT	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.80	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.54	4.24	-0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.58	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.08	4.02	+2.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.69	21.50	+0.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZALT vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZALT Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZALT 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

	ZALT	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	2.80	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.73	0.49	+1.24

Drawdowns

ZALT vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZALT drawdown since its inception was -8.19%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZALT and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZALT	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.19%	-46.23%	+38.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-3.58%	+1.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.24%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.27%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.48%	-6.18%	+5.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	0.67%	-0.19%

Volatility

ZALT vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) is 0.39%, while Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) has a volatility of 1.02%. This indicates that ZALT 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

	ZALT	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.39%	1.02%	-0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.97%	3.83%	-0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.15%	5.15%	-1.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.38%	8.41%	-2.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.38%	17.67%	-11.29%

ZALT vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZALT has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFF's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZALT vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZALT 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%
ZALT Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	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 ZALT and BUFF in my portfolio?

ZALT and BUFF have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZALT or BUFF?

BUFF has higher volatility (1.02%) compared to ZALT (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZALT dropped -8.19% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, ZALT or BUFF?

On 1-year performance, BUFF leads with 14.36% vs 10.35% for ZALT. On fees, ZALT is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, ZALT has been the lower-risk option at 0.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZALT or BUFF?

Over the 1-year period, BUFF has performed better with a 14.36% return vs 10.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZALT or BUFF?

ZALT is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BUFF.

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

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

What is the main difference between ZALT and BUFF?

ZALT is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for ZALT and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 2.50), 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.