ZAPR vs. BUFD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZAPR (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April) and BUFD (FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ZAPR returned 7.17% vs 14.40% for BUFD. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZAPR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFD.

Performance

ZAPR vs. BUFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April (ZAPR) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZAPR achieves a 3.25% return, which is significantly lower than BUFD's 5.08% return.

ZAPR

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 3.25%
• 6M: 3.73%
• 1Y: 7.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFD

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 5.08%
• 6M: 5.68%
• 1Y: 14.40%
• 3Y*: 12.09%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: —

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

ZAPR vs. BUFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZAPR Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April	3.25%	5.29%
BUFD FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF	5.08%	13.10%

Correlation

The correlation between ZAPR and BUFD is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2025	0.68

The correlation between ZAPR and BUFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZAPR vs. BUFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZAPR

ZAPR Risk / Return Rank: 98
ZAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
ZAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
ZAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 98
ZAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ZAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 99

BUFD

BUFD Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BUFD Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BUFD 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.

ZAPR vs. BUFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April (ZAPR) and FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD). 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.

	ZAPR	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.93	2.79	+2.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	9.13	4.32	+4.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.30	1.58	+0.72
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	17.93	4.21	+13.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	92.53	22.97	+69.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZAPR vs. BUFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZAPR Sharpe Ratio is 4.93, which is higher than the BUFD Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZAPR and BUFD, 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

	ZAPR	BUFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.93	2.79	+2.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.96	1.00	+1.96

Drawdowns

ZAPR vs. BUFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZAPR drawdown since its inception was -1.72%, smaller than the maximum BUFD drawdown of -10.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZAPR and BUFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZAPR	BUFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.72%	-10.75%	+9.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.40%	-3.43%	+3.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.15%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-0.15%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.09%	-1.97%	+1.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.08%	0.63%	-0.55%

Volatility

ZAPR vs. BUFD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April (ZAPR) is 0.37%, while FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF (BUFD) has a volatility of 0.79%. This indicates that ZAPR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZAPR	BUFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.37%	0.79%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.01%	3.94%	-2.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.46%	5.19%	-3.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.51%	7.73%	-5.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.51%	7.55%	-5.04%

ZAPR vs. BUFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZAPR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZAPR vs. BUFD - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZAPR nor BUFD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZAPR and BUFD in my portfolio?

ZAPR and BUFD have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZAPR or BUFD?

BUFD has higher volatility (0.79%) compared to ZAPR (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZAPR dropped -1.72% vs BUFD's -10.75%.

Which ETF is better, ZAPR or BUFD?

On 1-year performance, BUFD leads with 14.40% vs 7.17% for ZAPR. On fees, ZAPR is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, ZAPR has been the lower-risk option at 0.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZAPR or BUFD?

Over the 1-year period, BUFD has performed better with a 14.40% return vs 7.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZAPR or BUFD?

ZAPR is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZAPR or BUFD?

ZAPR and BUFD have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ZAPR and BUFD?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ZAPR and 0.95% for BUFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.93 vs 2.79), 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.