DDFL vs. SMAX

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 Sep ETF (SMAX).

DDFL and SMAX 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. SMAX is an actively managed fund by iShares. It was launched on Sep 30, 2024.

Performance

DDFL vs. SMAX - 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 Sep ETF (SMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DDFL vs. SMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DDFL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July	-0.02%	4.76%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	-0.28%	4.53%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DDFL achieves a -0.02% return, which is significantly higher than SMAX's -0.28% return.

DDFL

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: -0.59%
• YTD: -0.02%
• 6M: 1.60%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMAX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: -0.88%
• YTD: -0.28%
• 6M: 1.09%
• 1Y: 8.27%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DDFL vs. SMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

DDFL

Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July

SMAX

iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF

Return for Risk

DDFL vs. SMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMAX

SMAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
SMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
SMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
SMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SMAX 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.

DDFL vs. SMAX - 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 Sep ETF (SMAX). 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	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.17	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.83	1.54	+0.29

Correlation

The correlation between DDFL and SMAX is 0.72, 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. SMAX - Dividend Comparison

DDFL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%.

	TTM	2025	2024
DDFL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	0.98%	0.98%	0.27%

Drawdowns

DDFL vs. SMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDFL drawdown since its inception was -1.63%, smaller than the maximum SMAX drawdown of -3.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDFL and SMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDFL	SMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-3.90%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.27%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.99%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.22%	-0.44%	+0.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.49%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DDFL	SMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.31%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	2.15%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.50%	3.82%	-0.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.50%	3.80%	-0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.50%	3.80%	-0.30%