DAUG vs. ZDEK

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DAUG (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August) and ZDEK (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December) are both Defined Outcome funds. DAUG is passively managed, while ZDEK is actively managed. Over the past year, DAUG returned 14.97% vs 9.00% for ZDEK. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for ZDEK.

Performance

DAUG vs. ZDEK - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DAUG achieves a 5.31% return, which is significantly higher than ZDEK's 2.58% return.

DAUG

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.65%
• YTD: 5.31%
• 6M: 5.28%
• 1Y: 14.97%
• 3Y*: 11.98%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: —

ZDEK

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 2.58%
• 6M: 2.64%
• 1Y: 9.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DAUG vs. ZDEK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August	5.31%	11.75%	-0.77%
ZDEK Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December	2.58%	7.78%	-0.33%

Correlation

The correlation between DAUG and ZDEK is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2024	0.89

The correlation between DAUG and ZDEK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DAUG vs. ZDEK — Risk / Return Rank

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

DAUG

DAUG Risk / Return Rank: 85
DAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
DAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 90
DAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 87

ZDEK

ZDEK Risk / Return Rank: 95
ZDEK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ZDEK Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
ZDEK Omega Ratio Rank: 95
ZDEK Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ZDEK 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.

DAUG vs. ZDEK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DAUG	ZDEK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	3.36	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	5.23	-1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.73	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	6.00	-2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.14	30.59	-12.45

DAUG vs. ZDEK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.69, which is comparable to the ZDEK Sharpe Ratio of 3.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAUG and ZDEK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DAUG vs. ZDEK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAUG drawdown since its inception was -15.34%, which is greater than ZDEK's maximum drawdown of -3.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAUG and ZDEK.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAUG	ZDEK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.34%	-3.40%	-11.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.37%	-1.51%	-2.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.53%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-0.08%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.80%	-0.44%	-2.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	0.29%	+0.54%

Volatility

DAUG vs. ZDEK - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) has a higher volatility of 1.31% compared to Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK) at 0.67%. This indicates that DAUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZDEK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DAUG	ZDEK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.31%	0.67%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.48%	1.72%	+2.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.60%	2.70%	+2.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.07%	3.30%	+4.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.25%	3.30%	+5.95%

DAUG vs. ZDEK - Expense Ratio Comparison

DAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than ZDEK's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

DAUG vs. ZDEK - Dividend Comparison

Neither DAUG nor ZDEK has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DAUG and ZDEK in my portfolio?

DAUG and ZDEK have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DAUG or ZDEK?

DAUG has higher volatility (1.31%) compared to ZDEK (0.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAUG dropped -15.34% vs ZDEK's -3.40%.

Which ETF is better, DAUG or ZDEK?

On 1-year performance, DAUG leads with 14.97% vs 9.00% for ZDEK. On fees, ZDEK is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, ZDEK has been the lower-risk option at 0.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DAUG or ZDEK?

Over the 1-year period, DAUG has performed better with a 14.97% return vs 9.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DAUG or ZDEK?

ZDEK is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DAUG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DAUG or ZDEK?

DAUG and ZDEK have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DAUG and ZDEK?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DAUG and 0.79% for ZDEK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZDEK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.36 vs 2.69), 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.