DDFL vs. DMAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July (DDFL) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX).

DDFL and DMAX are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DDFL is an actively managed fund by Innovator. It was launched on Jun 30, 2025. DMAX is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Dec 31, 2024.

Performance

DDFL vs. DMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July (DDFL) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DDFL vs. DMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DDFL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July	-0.02%	4.76%
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	-0.37%	4.61%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DDFL achieves a -0.02% return, which is significantly higher than DMAX's -0.37% return.

DDFL

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: -0.56%
• YTD: -0.02%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DMAX

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: -0.84%
• YTD: -0.37%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 7.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DDFL vs. DMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DDFL has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than DMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

DDFL

Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July

DMAX

iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF

Return for Risk

DDFL vs. DMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DMAX

DMAX Risk / Return Rank: 96
DMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
DMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

DDFL vs. DMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July (DDFL) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DDFL	DMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.83	1.68	+0.15

Correlation

The correlation between DDFL and DMAX is 0.71, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

DDFL vs. DMAX - Dividend Comparison

DDFL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%.

	TTM	2025
DDFL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	1.18%	1.18%

Drawdowns

DDFL vs. DMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDFL drawdown since its inception was -1.63%, smaller than the maximum DMAX drawdown of -3.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDFL and DMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDFL	DMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-3.37%	+1.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.97%	+0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.22%	-0.42%	+0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.41%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DDFL	DMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.98%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	1.81%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.50%	3.46%	+0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.50%	3.57%	-0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.50%	3.57%	-0.07%