BUYW vs USEP
Main BuyWrite ETF vs Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, BUYW or USEP?
USEP has been ahead.
USEP has a lower expense ratio. USEP 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 | BUYW | USEP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.79%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $239M |
| Dividend Yield | 5.97% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 44 | 23 |
| YTD Return | +2.17% | +7.42%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.56% | +9.56%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.50% | +12.59%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5%Best | 6.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.4%Best | -9.7% |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $13,909 | $15,706Best |
| Fund Family | Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Dec 29, 2015 | Aug 30, 2019 |
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).
BUYW vs USEP 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.
BUYW vs USEP Performance
Main BuyWrite ETF (BUYW) is an ETF from Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC and Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (USEP) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year BUYW returned +3.56% while USEP returned +9.56%. Year to date, BUYW is up 2.17% versus a gain of 7.42% for USEP.
Over three years, BUYW compounded at +7.50% per year against +12.59% for USEP. Across the full 4-year window we track, USEP has the edge at +11.64% annualized vs +8.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USEP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 6.5% 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 -9.4% for BUYW and -9.7% for USEP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUYW charges 0.99% per year while USEP charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $79 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUYW currently yields 5.97% against 0.00% for USEP.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 9 holdings in BUYW and 1 in USEP, totalling 115.1% and 98.6% 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 9 positions we hold weights for in BUYW and 1 in USEP, against full books of 44 and 23.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUYW and USEP 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, BUYW or USEP?
BUYW has an expense ratio of 0.99% while USEP charges 0.79%. USEP is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUYW or USEP?
Over the past year BUYW returned +3.56% vs +9.56% for USEP, so USEP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BUYW annualized +8.38% vs +11.64% for USEP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUYW or USEP?
USEP has been the more volatile fund at 6.5% annualized versus 4.5% for BUYW. Worst drawdown: BUYW -9.4% vs USEP -9.7%.
Should I hold both BUYW and USEP?
BUYW and USEP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, BUYW or USEP?
BUYW yields 5.97% while USEP yields 0.00%, so BUYW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USEP better than BUYW?
USEP has a lower expense ratio. USEP 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.