Innovator US Equity Buffer ETF October

BOCT

Market cap $229M

Managing downside risk in portfolios has been a big theme this year as we navigate uncertainty in the face of a presidential election, the expectation of rate cuts as Federal Reserve monetary policy shifts, and geopolitical tensions across the globe. Buffer ETFs, as a category, have risen to that challenge.

In this article, we explore the basics of buffer ETFs and share our thoughts on why we think these ETFs could be a powerful tool for managing risk. By selecting a buffer ETF with a predefined payoff profile that best matches one's preferences, one can achieve the equivalent of a customized option strategy to position for a pullback. The ideal scenario for using buffer ETFs would be when the market has performed exceptionally well and is at risk of a potential pullback.