BALT vs. PMAP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALT (Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF) and PMAP (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April) are both Defined Outcome funds. BALT is passively managed, while PMAP is actively managed. Over the past year, BALT returned 6.95% vs 7.34% for PMAP. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BALT charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMAP.

Performance

BALT vs. PMAP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April (PMAP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALT achieves a 1.91% return, which is significantly lower than PMAP's 3.28% return.

BALT

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 1.91%
• 6M: 2.81%
• 1Y: 6.95%
• 3Y*: 7.27%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PMAP

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 3.28%
• 6M: 3.83%
• 1Y: 7.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BALT vs. PMAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALT Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF	1.91%	6.74%
PMAP PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April	3.28%	5.37%

Correlation

The correlation between BALT and PMAP is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2025	0.71

The correlation between BALT and PMAP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BALT vs. PMAP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BALT

BALT Risk / Return Rank: 92
BALT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
BALT Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
BALT Omega Ratio Rank: 93
BALT Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
BALT Martin Ratio Rank: 91

PMAP

PMAP Risk / Return Rank: 99
PMAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
PMAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PMAP Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PMAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PMAP Martin Ratio Rank: 99

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BALT vs. PMAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April (PMAP). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	BALT	PMAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.19	6.43	-3.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.88	13.39	-8.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	2.92	-1.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.05	21.40	-15.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.58	133.92	-111.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BALT vs. PMAP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BALT Sharpe Ratio is 3.19, which is lower than the PMAP Sharpe Ratio of 6.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BALT and PMAP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BALT	PMAP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.19	6.43	-3.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.80	3.23	-1.44

Drawdowns

BALT vs. PMAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALT drawdown since its inception was -4.89%, which is greater than PMAP's maximum drawdown of -1.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALT and PMAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALT	PMAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-1.75%	-3.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.15%	-0.34%	-0.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-0.06%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.34%	-0.08%	-0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.31%	0.05%	+0.26%

Volatility

BALT vs. PMAP - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT) has a higher volatility of 0.37% compared to PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April (PMAP) at 0.27%. This indicates that BALT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PMAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BALT	PMAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.37%	0.27%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.56%	0.81%	+0.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19%	1.15%	+1.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.32%	2.33%	+0.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.32%	2.33%	+0.99%

BALT vs. PMAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALT has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than PMAP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALT vs. PMAP - Dividend Comparison

Neither BALT nor PMAP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALT and PMAP in my portfolio?

BALT and PMAP have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BALT or PMAP?

BALT has higher volatility (0.37%) compared to PMAP (0.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BALT dropped -4.89% vs PMAP's -1.75%.

Which ETF is better, BALT or PMAP?

On 1-year performance, PMAP leads with 7.34% vs 6.95% for BALT. On fees, PMAP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PMAP has been the lower-risk option at 0.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BALT or PMAP?

Over the 1-year period, PMAP has performed better with a 7.34% return vs 6.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALT or PMAP?

PMAP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BALT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BALT or PMAP?

BALT and PMAP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BALT and PMAP?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for BALT and 0.50% for PMAP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PMAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.43 vs 3.19), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.