EJUL vs. ZDEK

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

EJUL (Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July) and ZDEK (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. EJUL is passively managed, while ZDEK is actively managed. Over the past year, EJUL returned 17.58% vs 9.11% for ZDEK. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EJUL charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for ZDEK.

Performance

EJUL vs. ZDEK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July (EJUL) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EJUL achieves a 4.79% return, which is significantly higher than ZDEK's 2.63% return.

EJUL

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 4.79%
• 6M: 6.15%
• 1Y: 17.58%
• 3Y*: 10.38%
• 5Y*: 3.05%
• 10Y*: —

ZDEK

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.78%
• YTD: 2.63%
• 6M: 2.86%
• 1Y: 9.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EJUL vs. ZDEK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EJUL Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July	4.79%	20.20%	-0.92%
ZDEK Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December	2.63%	7.78%	-0.38%

Correlation

The correlation between EJUL and ZDEK is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2024	0.53

The correlation between EJUL and ZDEK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EJUL vs. ZDEK — Risk / Return Rank

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

EJUL

EJUL Risk / Return Rank: 85
EJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
EJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
EJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 87
EJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
EJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 90

ZDEK

ZDEK Risk / Return Rank: 94
ZDEK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
ZDEK Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
ZDEK Omega Ratio Rank: 95
ZDEK Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ZDEK 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.

EJUL vs. ZDEK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July (EJUL) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK). 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.

	EJUL	ZDEK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	3.31	-0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.72	5.16	-1.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.72	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.64	6.07	-1.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.22	31.09	-10.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EJUL vs. ZDEK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EJUL Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the ZDEK Sharpe Ratio of 3.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EJUL and ZDEK, 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

	EJUL	ZDEK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	3.31	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	2.04	-1.77

Drawdowns

EJUL vs. ZDEK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EJUL drawdown since its inception was -21.61%, which is greater than ZDEK's maximum drawdown of -3.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EJUL and ZDEK.

Drawdown Indicators

	EJUL	ZDEK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.61%	-3.40%	-18.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.81%	-1.51%	-2.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	0.00%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.61%	-0.45%	-6.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	0.29%	+0.58%

Volatility

EJUL vs. ZDEK - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July (EJUL) has a higher volatility of 0.83% compared to Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK) at 0.35%. This indicates that EJUL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZDEK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EJUL	ZDEK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.83%	0.35%	+0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.73%	1.64%	+3.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.30%	2.76%	+4.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.66%	3.31%	+7.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.44%	3.31%	+8.13%

EJUL vs. ZDEK - Expense Ratio Comparison

EJUL has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than ZDEK's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

EJUL vs. ZDEK - Dividend Comparison

Neither EJUL nor ZDEK has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
EJUL Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.64%
ZDEK Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EJUL and ZDEK in my portfolio?

EJUL and ZDEK have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EJUL or ZDEK?

EJUL has higher volatility (0.83%) compared to ZDEK (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EJUL dropped -21.61% vs ZDEK's -3.40%.

Which ETF is better, EJUL or ZDEK?

On 1-year performance, EJUL leads with 17.58% vs 9.11% for ZDEK. On fees, ZDEK is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, ZDEK has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EJUL or ZDEK?

Over the 1-year period, EJUL has performed better with a 17.58% return vs 9.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EJUL or ZDEK?

ZDEK is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for EJUL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EJUL or ZDEK?

EJUL and ZDEK have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between EJUL and ZDEK?

Their fees differ too: 0.89% for EJUL and 0.79% for ZDEK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZDEK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.31 vs 2.45), 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.