DMAX vs. ZNOV

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November (ZNOV).

DMAX and ZNOV are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. 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. ZNOV is an actively managed fund by Innovator. It was launched on Oct 31, 2024.

Performance

DMAX vs. ZNOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November (ZNOV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DMAX vs. ZNOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	-0.37%	7.81%
ZNOV Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November	-0.47%	6.10%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DMAX achieves a -0.37% return, which is significantly higher than ZNOV's -0.47% return.

DMAX

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

ZNOV

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: -1.01%
• YTD: -0.47%
• 6M: 0.58%
• 1Y: 5.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DMAX vs. ZNOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DMAX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than ZNOV's 0.79% expense ratio.

ZNOV

Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November

DMAX

iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF

Return for Risk

DMAX vs. ZNOV — 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

ZNOV

ZNOV Risk / Return Rank: 88
ZNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
ZNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
ZNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 88
ZNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
ZNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

DMAX vs. ZNOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November (ZNOV). 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.

	DMAX	ZNOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	1.67	+0.58
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	2.54	+0.84
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.37	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.99	2.90	+1.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	19.40	12.70	+6.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DMAX vs. ZNOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DMAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is higher than the ZNOV Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DMAX and ZNOV, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DMAX	ZNOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	1.67	+0.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.68	1.36	+0.32

Correlation

The correlation between DMAX and ZNOV is 0.69, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

DMAX vs. ZNOV - Dividend Comparison

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

	TTM	2025
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	1.18%	1.18%
ZNOV Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

DMAX vs. ZNOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DMAX drawdown since its inception was -3.37%, roughly equal to the maximum ZNOV drawdown of -3.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DMAX and ZNOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	DMAX	ZNOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.37%	-3.31%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.00%	-2.11%	+0.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	-1.15%	+0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.42%	-0.40%	-0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.41%	0.48%	-0.07%

Volatility

DMAX vs. ZNOV - Volatility Comparison

iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November (ZNOV) have volatilities of 0.98% and 1.02%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DMAX	ZNOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.98%	1.02%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.81%	1.90%	-0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.46%	3.59%	-0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.57%	3.45%	+0.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.57%	3.45%	+0.12%