DFSU vs. UNOV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFSU (Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF) and UNOV (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. DFSU is actively managed, while UNOV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFSU returned 20.49%/yr vs 10.28%/yr for UNOV. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFSU charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for UNOV.

Performance

DFSU vs. UNOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU) and Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFSU achieves a 8.06% return, which is significantly higher than UNOV's 5.63% return.

DFSU

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 4.07%
• YTD: 8.06%
• 6M: 8.68%
• 1Y: 25.56%
• 3Y*: 20.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UNOV

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 2.20%
• YTD: 5.63%
• 6M: 6.03%
• 1Y: 14.46%
• 3Y*: 10.28%
• 5Y*: 6.74%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFSU vs. UNOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFSU Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF	8.06%	15.65%	22.96%	26.27%	0.65%
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	5.63%	9.92%	9.42%	14.18%	1.69%

Correlation

The correlation between DFSU and UNOV is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2022	0.89

The correlation between DFSU and UNOV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFSU vs. UNOV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFSU	UNOV
Technology	28.7%	36.2%
Financial Services	16.7%	11.9%
Industrials	12.1%	8.1%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	10.1%
Communication Services	10.4%	10.9%
Healthcare	10.2%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	4.9%
Basic Materials	2.3%	1.8%
Energy	2.0%	3.5%
Utilities	1.0%	2.3%
Real Estate	0.3%	1.9%

Return for Risk

DFSU vs. UNOV — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFSU

DFSU Risk / Return Rank: 57
DFSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
DFSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
DFSU Omega Ratio Rank: 57
DFSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
DFSU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

UNOV

UNOV Risk / Return Rank: 78
UNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
UNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
UNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 85
UNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
UNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

DFSU vs. UNOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU) and Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV). 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.

	DFSU	UNOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	2.61	-0.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	3.78	-1.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.53	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	3.20	-0.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.12	15.61	-4.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFSU vs. UNOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFSU Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the UNOV Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFSU and UNOV, 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

	DFSU	UNOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	2.61	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.28	0.92	+0.36

Drawdowns

DFSU vs. UNOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFSU drawdown since its inception was -19.88%, which is greater than UNOV's maximum drawdown of -13.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSU and UNOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFSU	UNOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.88%	-13.84%	-6.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.12%	-4.52%	-5.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.88%	-9.10%	-10.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.67%	-1.66%	-1.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.32%	0.93%	+1.39%

Volatility

DFSU vs. UNOV - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU) has a higher volatility of 3.00% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV) at 1.13%. This indicates that DFSU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UNOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFSU	UNOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.00%	1.13%	+1.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.65%	4.67%	+4.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.01%	5.58%	+7.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.25%	6.83%	+9.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.25%	7.72%	+8.53%

DFSU vs. UNOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFSU has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than UNOV's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFSU vs. UNOV - Dividend Comparison

DFSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, while UNOV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFSU Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF	0.82%	0.85%	0.96%	1.03%	0.21%
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFSU and UNOV in my portfolio?

DFSU and UNOV have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFSU or UNOV?

DFSU has higher volatility (3.00%) compared to UNOV (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSU dropped -19.88% vs UNOV's -13.84%.

Which ETF is better, DFSU or UNOV?

On 3-year performance, DFSU leads with 20.49% vs 10.28% for UNOV. On fees, DFSU is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, UNOV has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFSU or UNOV?

Over the 3-year period, DFSU has performed better with a 20.49% return vs 10.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFSU or UNOV?

DFSU is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for UNOV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFSU or UNOV?

DFSU has the higher dividend yield at 0.82%, compared with 0.00% for UNOV.

What is the main difference between DFSU and UNOV?

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for DFSU and 0.79% for UNOV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UNOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.97), 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.