BDEC vs. ZFEB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BDEC (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December) and ZFEB (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr February) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. BDEC is passively managed, while ZFEB is actively managed. Over the past year, BDEC returned 22.49% vs 8.02% for ZFEB. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

BDEC vs. ZFEB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December (BDEC) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr February (ZFEB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BDEC achieves a 7.75% return, which is significantly higher than ZFEB's 2.40% return.

BDEC

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 3.25%
• YTD: 7.75%
• 6M: 8.29%
• 1Y: 22.49%
• 3Y*: 15.10%
• 5Y*: 10.32%
• 10Y*: —

ZFEB

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 2.40%
• 6M: 3.09%
• 1Y: 8.02%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BDEC vs. ZFEB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BDEC Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December	7.75%	13.44%
ZFEB Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr February	2.40%	6.10%

Correlation

The correlation between BDEC and ZFEB is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2025	0.84

The correlation between BDEC and ZFEB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BDEC vs. ZFEB — Risk / Return Rank

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

BDEC

BDEC Risk / Return Rank: 78
BDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
BDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
BDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
BDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 82

ZFEB

ZFEB Risk / Return Rank: 94
ZFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ZFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
ZFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ZFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ZFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

BDEC vs. ZFEB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December (BDEC) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr February (ZFEB). 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.

	BDEC	ZFEB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.58	3.65	-1.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.62	5.77	-2.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.81	-0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	6.07	-2.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.74	29.68	-12.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BDEC vs. ZFEB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.58, which is comparable to the ZFEB Sharpe Ratio of 3.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BDEC and ZFEB, 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

	BDEC	ZFEB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.58	3.65	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	2.25	-1.44

Drawdowns

BDEC vs. ZFEB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BDEC drawdown since its inception was -25.60%, which is greater than ZFEB's maximum drawdown of -3.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BDEC and ZFEB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BDEC	ZFEB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.60%	-3.00%	-22.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.52%	-1.35%	-5.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.95%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.05%	-0.36%	-2.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.36%	0.28%	+1.08%

Volatility

BDEC vs. ZFEB - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December (BDEC) has a higher volatility of 1.53% compared to Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr February (ZFEB) at 0.41%. This indicates that BDEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZFEB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BDEC	ZFEB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.53%	0.41%	+1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.33%	1.44%	+4.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.77%	2.21%	+6.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.96%	2.88%	+9.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.27%	2.88%	+11.39%

BDEC vs. ZFEB - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BDEC and ZFEB have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

BDEC vs. ZFEB - Dividend Comparison

Neither BDEC nor ZFEB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BDEC and ZFEB in my portfolio?

BDEC and ZFEB have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BDEC or ZFEB?

BDEC has higher volatility (1.53%) compared to ZFEB (0.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BDEC dropped -25.60% vs ZFEB's -3.00%.

Which ETF is better, BDEC or ZFEB?

On 1-year performance, BDEC leads with 22.49% vs 8.02% for ZFEB. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, ZFEB has been the lower-risk option at 0.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BDEC or ZFEB?

Over the 1-year period, BDEC has performed better with a 22.49% return vs 8.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BDEC or ZFEB?

BDEC and ZFEB have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BDEC or ZFEB?

BDEC and ZFEB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZFEB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.65 vs 2.58), 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.