Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF Price & Performance (BUFB)

A surge of $373 million into the ProShares Short S&P500 ETF signals growing investor pessimism, with traders moving away from bullish positions and pulling funds from leveraged products. This bearish turn comes amid volatile swings in the S&P 500 and increased allocations to havens such as gold.12

Several major asset managers, including Envestnet and LPL Financial, have recently reduced or rebalanced their positions in the Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF. The fund, which targets buffered losses and capped gains, has seen notable trading activity as investors seek to navigate uncertain equity markets.34

Quant managers like AQR have criticized buffer ETFs for underperforming traditional portfolios, citing research that shows most strategies lagged simple equity-plus-cash allocations. However, supporters argue these funds offer valuable downside protection, especially for investors prioritizing stability during volatile periods.56