ESN vs. UNOV

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) and UNOV (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - ESN tracks the Essential 40 Stock 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 year, ESN returned 26.33% vs 13.07% for UNOV. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESN charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for UNOV.

Performance

ESN vs. UNOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) 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, ESN achieves a 13.17% return, which is significantly higher than UNOV's 4.50% return.

ESN

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: 2.19%
• YTD: 13.17%
• 6M: 13.13%
• 1Y: 26.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UNOV

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 4.50%
• 6M: 4.55%
• 1Y: 13.07%
• 3Y*: 9.84%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESN vs. UNOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	13.17%	16.52%	-2.98%
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	4.50%	9.92%	1.85%

Correlation

The correlation between ESN and UNOV is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2024	0.72

The correlation between ESN and UNOV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ESN vs. UNOV — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 84
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 81
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 84

UNOV

UNOV Risk / Return Rank: 75
UNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
UNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
UNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 82
UNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
UNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

ESN vs. UNOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) 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.

	ESN	UNOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	2.32	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	3.32	+0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.47	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.12	2.90	+1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.39	14.09	+2.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESN vs. UNOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESN Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is comparable to the UNOV Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESN 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

	ESN	UNOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	2.32	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.95	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.24	0.90	+0.35

Drawdowns

ESN vs. UNOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESN drawdown since its inception was -13.60%, roughly equal to the maximum UNOV drawdown of -13.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESN and UNOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESN	UNOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.60%	-13.84%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.42%	-4.52%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.10%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.84%	-1.07%	-0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.87%	-1.66%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	0.93%	+0.68%

Volatility

ESN vs. UNOV - Volatility Comparison

Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) has a higher volatility of 2.97% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV) at 1.44%. This indicates that ESN'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

	ESN	UNOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	1.44%	+1.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.24%	4.79%	+2.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.90%	5.68%	+4.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.33%	6.84%	+6.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.33%	7.72%	+5.61%

ESN vs. UNOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESN has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than UNOV's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESN vs. UNOV - Dividend Comparison

ESN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, while UNOV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.80%	0.91%	0.76%
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESN and UNOV in my portfolio?

ESN and UNOV have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESN or UNOV?

ESN has higher volatility (2.97%) compared to UNOV (1.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESN dropped -13.60% vs UNOV's -13.84%.

Which ETF is better, ESN or UNOV?

On 1-year performance, ESN leads with 26.33% vs 13.07% for UNOV. On fees, ESN is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, UNOV has been the lower-risk option at 1.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESN or UNOV?

Over the 1-year period, ESN has performed better with a 26.33% return vs 13.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESN or UNOV?

ESN is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for UNOV.

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

ESN has the higher dividend yield at 0.80%, compared with 0.00% for UNOV.

What is the main difference between ESN and UNOV?

ESN tracks Essential 40 Stock Index, while UNOV tracks Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect November Series Index. They also come from different issuers: KKM Financial and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for ESN and 0.79% for UNOV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 2.32), 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.