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- Upturn Summary
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Upturn AI Summary
Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF(BSTP)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for BSTP
10/08/2026: BSTP (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
The Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP) provides investors with exposure to the S&P 500 index while implementing a defined-outcome strategy that includes a downside buffer and an upside cap. Its primary strength lies in its ability to offer institutional-grade risk management within a retail-accessible ETF, providing protection against market downturns. The fund is best suited for risk-conscious investors who prioritize stability and downside mitigation over capturing the full upside of equity markets. Key risks include the opportunity cost of the upside cap and the potential for losses if the market falls below the protected threshold. Investors should monitor the fund's outcome period dates and ensure the strategy aligns with their specific risk tolerance.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Weak fit | The capped upside limits the total growth potential compared to pure equity exposure. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The structured nature of the fund is designed for stability rather than capturing high-momentum market moves. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | The downside buffer may appeal to valuation-conscious investors concerned about market corrections. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | This fund does not provide meaningful dividend yield, focusing instead on capital outcome profiles. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The buffer mechanism is specifically designed to mitigate equity market risk for conservative-leaning investors. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
Conservative or moderate investors seeking equity market exposure with built-in risk management to limit potential losses.
Suitability
Best for investors willing to hold for the duration of the outcome period, rather than active traders.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium | The buffer strategy is designed to dampen the impact of market volatility. |
| Market risk | Medium / high | Investors remain exposed to the S&P 500, meaning losses can still occur if the market drops beyond the buffer level. |
| Concentration | Medium | The fund is concentrated in S&P 500 options, creating specific outcome dependencies. |
| Tracking/expense | Medium | The higher expense ratio reflects the cost of managing the complex options strategy. |
| Liquidity | Medium | Lower secondary market volume may lead to challenges in entering or exiting large positions at tight spreads. |
| Business/sector quality | Low | The underlying asset is the broad S&P 500 index, minimizing individual sector risk. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
Historical volatility is lower than the S&P 500 during downturns, but performance is restricted by the upside cap.
Market Risk
Primary risk is the loss of principal if the S&P 500 declines beyond the specific buffer protection layer.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derivatives | S&P 500 Index FLEX Options (Long/Short Call/Put Spreads) | 95 | These options contracts define the fund's specific upside cap and downside buffer parameters relative to the S&P 500. |
| Cash/collateral | U.S. Treasury Bills / Cash | 5 | This portion of the portfolio provides liquidity and serves as collateral to support the options overlay. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Very Smooth
The stock has followed a highly orderly price path with minimal short-term disruption.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 32.84% | Avg. Invested days 72 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  5.0 | ETF Returns Performance  5.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/08/2026 |
ETF Fundamentals 
Source: EOD Historical Data • Updated Oct 8, 2026
Fund Basics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Fund Size (AUM) | $59.26M |
| Issuer | Innovator ETFs |
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% |
| Distribution Yield | 0% |
| Inception | Mar 7, 2022 |
Performance
| Period | Total Return |
|---|---|
| YTD | +8.18% |
| 1 Year | +10.21% |
| 3 Year | +15.01% |
| 5 Year | +0.00% |
| 10 Year | +0.00% |
Risk Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 1Y Volatility | 7.98% |
| 3Y Volatility | 7.97% |
| 3Y Sharpe Ratio | 1.23 |
Market Cap Distribution
| Cap Size | Weight |
|---|---|
| Mega Cap | 46.51% |
| Large Cap | 35.41% |
| Mid Cap | 20.26% |
| Small Cap | 1.32% |
Top Sectors
| Sector | Weight |
|---|---|
| Technology | 40.68% |
| Financial Services | 11.26% |
| Communication Services | 9.81% |
| Healthcare | 9.12% |
Asset Allocation
Portfolio Characteristics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Portfolio P/E | 19.63x |
| Portfolio P/B | 4.54x |
| Portfolio P/S | 3.26x |
| Holdings Turnover | 0.0% |
| Distribution Yield | 0% |
Upturn AI Summary
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
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