DMAY vs. UNOV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DMAY (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May) and UNOV (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November) are both Defined Outcome funds - DMAY tracks the Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect May Series Index while UNOV tracks the Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect November Series Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DMAY returned 6.88%/yr vs 6.76%/yr for UNOV. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DMAY charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for UNOV.

Performance

DMAY vs. UNOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) 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, DMAY achieves a 4.47% return, which is significantly lower than UNOV's 6.21% return.

DMAY

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 0.41%
• 6M: 3.91%
• YTD: 4.47%
• 1Y: 9.72%
• 3Y*: 10.82%
• 5Y*: 6.88%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.16%

UNOV

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 0.70%
• 6M: 5.32%
• YTD: 6.21%
• 1Y: 11.32%
• 3Y*: 9.02%
• 5Y*: 6.76%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.98%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May	$400.10K	$440.69K	$1.81M
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	$195.76K	$176.12K	$1.52M

DMAY vs. UNOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DMAY FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May	4.47%	11.05%	12.82%	15.40%	-9.98%	6.14%	6.40%
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	6.21%	9.92%	9.42%	14.18%	-6.23%	4.45%	12.37%

Correlation

The correlation between DMAY and UNOV is 0.87, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2020	0.82

The correlation between DMAY and UNOV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

DMAY vs. UNOV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DMAY	UNOV
Technology	37.9%	37.9%
Financial Services	11.7%	11.7%
Communication Services	10.0%	10.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	9.6%
Healthcare	9.1%	9.1%
Industrials	8.4%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.6%
Energy	3.0%	3.0%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.7%

Return for Risk

DMAY vs. UNOV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DMAY

DMAY Risk / Return Rank: 81
DMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
DMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
DMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 83
DMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
DMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 89

UNOV

UNOV Risk / Return Rank: 77
UNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
UNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
UNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 81
UNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
UNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DMAY vs. UNOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) 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.

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.

	DMAY	UNOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.77	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	2.54	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.34	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	2.35	+0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.06	11.07	+2.99

DMAY vs. UNOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DMAY Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the UNOV Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DMAY 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.

Drawdowns

DMAY vs. UNOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DMAY drawdown since its inception was -13.90%, roughly equal to the maximum UNOV drawdown of -13.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DMAY and UNOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	DMAY	UNOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.90%	-13.84%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.36%	-4.52%	+1.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.38%	-9.10%	-3.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.90%	-9.10%	-4.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-0.11%	-0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.20%	-1.63%	-0.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	0.96%	-0.30%

Volatility

DMAY vs. UNOV - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May (DMAY) and Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV) have volatilities of 1.88% and 1.92%, 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

	DMAY	UNOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.88%	1.92%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.75%	5.10%	-0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.49%	6.01%	-0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.10%	6.93%	+2.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.41%	7.70%	+0.71%

DMAY vs. UNOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DMAY has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than UNOV's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

DMAY vs. UNOV - Dividend Comparison

Neither DMAY nor UNOV has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DMAY and UNOV in my portfolio?

DMAY and UNOV have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DMAY or UNOV?

UNOV has higher volatility (1.92%) compared to DMAY (1.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DMAY dropped -13.90% vs UNOV's -13.84%.

Which ETF is better, DMAY or UNOV?

On 5-year performance, DMAY leads with 6.88% vs 6.76% for UNOV. On fees, UNOV is cheaper at 0.79% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DMAY or UNOV?

Over the 5-year period, DMAY has performed better with a 6.88% return vs 6.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DMAY or UNOV?

UNOV is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DMAY.

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

DMAY and UNOV have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DMAY and UNOV?

DMAY tracks Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect May Series Index, while UNOV tracks Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect November Series Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DMAY and 0.79% for UNOV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UNOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.70), 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.