RBUF vs SMAY
Innovator US Small Cap 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly vs FT Vest US Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - May
Which is better, RBUF or SMAY?
Each has led over a different period.
RBUF has a lower expense ratio. RBUF led over the full window, SMAY over 1Y.
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 | RBUF | SMAY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79%Best | 0.90% |
| AUM | $106M | $111M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 18 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +5.51%Best | +4.73% |
| 1Y Return | +6.61% | +6.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.8%Best | 7.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.4%Best | -14.4% |
| $10,000 over 2.3 years | $12,313Best | $11,764 |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Jul 1, 2024 | May 19, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.3 years).
RBUF vs SMAY 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 2.3 years both funds cover.
RBUF vs SMAY Performance
Innovator US Small Cap 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (RBUF) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and FT Vest US Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - May (SMAY) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year RBUF returned +6.61% while SMAY returned +6.82%. Year to date, RBUF is up 5.51% versus a gain of 4.73% for SMAY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMAY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.7% compared with 5.8% for RBUF. 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 -11.4% for RBUF and -14.4% for SMAY. 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
RBUF charges 0.79% per year while SMAY charges 0.90%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $90 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RBUF currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for SMAY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RBUF and SMAY 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, RBUF or SMAY?
RBUF has an expense ratio of 0.79% while SMAY charges 0.90%. RBUF is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RBUF or SMAY?
Over the past year RBUF returned +6.61% vs +6.82% for SMAY, so SMAY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), RBUF annualized +9.47% vs +7.32% for SMAY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RBUF or SMAY?
SMAY has been the more volatile fund at 7.7% annualized versus 5.8% for RBUF. Worst drawdown: RBUF -11.4% vs SMAY -14.4%.
Should I hold both RBUF and SMAY?
RBUF and SMAY 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, RBUF or SMAY?
RBUF yields 0.00% while SMAY yields 0.00%, so SMAY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMAY better than RBUF?
RBUF has a lower expense ratio. RBUF led over the full window, SMAY over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.