BSEP vs BUYW
Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September vs Main BuyWrite ETF
Which is better, BSEP or BUYW?
BSEP has been ahead.
BSEP has a lower expense ratio. BSEP led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BSEP | BUYW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79%Best | 0.99% |
| AUM | $470M | $1.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 5.97% |
| Holdings | 1,520 | 44 |
| YTD Return | +10.32%Best | +2.17% |
| 1Y Return | +13.43%Best | +3.56% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.86%Best | +7.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.29% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.2% | 4.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -13.4% | -9.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $17,223Best | $13,909 |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Aug 30, 2019 | Dec 29, 2015 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.1 years).
BSEP vs BUYW growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 4.1 years both funds cover.
BSEP vs BUYW Performance
Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (BSEP) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Main BuyWrite ETF (BUYW) is an ETF from Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC. Over the past year BSEP returned +13.43% while BUYW returned +3.56%. Year to date, BSEP is up 10.32% versus a gain of 2.17% for BUYW.
Over three years, BSEP compounded at +16.86% per year against +7.50% for BUYW. Across the full 4-year window we track, BSEP has the edge at +14.18% annualized vs +8.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BSEP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.2% compared with 4.5% for BUYW. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -13.4% for BSEP and -9.4% for BUYW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSEP charges 0.79% per year while BUYW charges 0.99%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $99 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BSEP currently yields 0.00% against 5.97% for BUYW.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 494 holdings in BSEP and 9 in BUYW, totalling 98.2% and 115.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 494 positions we hold weights for in BSEP and 9 in BUYW, against full books of 1,520 and 44.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSEP and BUYW you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BSEP or BUYW?
BSEP has an expense ratio of 0.79% while BUYW charges 0.99%. BSEP is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BSEP or BUYW?
Over the past year BSEP returned +13.43% vs +3.56% for BUYW, so BSEP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BSEP annualized +14.18% vs +8.38% for BUYW. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSEP or BUYW?
BSEP has been the more volatile fund at 9.2% annualized versus 4.5% for BUYW. Worst drawdown: BSEP -13.4% vs BUYW -9.4%.
Should I hold both BSEP and BUYW?
BSEP and BUYW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BSEP or BUYW?
BSEP yields 0.00% while BUYW yields 5.97%, so BUYW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is BUYW better than BSEP?
BSEP has a lower expense ratio. BSEP led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.