FFTY vs. USEP

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FFTY (Innovator IBD 50 ETF) and USEP (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September) are both exchange-traded funds - FFTY is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the IBD 50 Index, while USEP is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FFTY returned -0.44%/yr vs 7.91%/yr for USEP. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FFTY charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for USEP.

Performance

FFTY vs. USEP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY) and Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (USEP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FFTY achieves a 20.94% return, which is significantly higher than USEP's 4.54% return.

FFTY

• 1D: -4.21%
• 1M: 5.39%
• YTD: 20.94%
• 6M: 18.21%
• 1Y: 36.43%
• 3Y*: 21.26%
• 5Y*: -0.44%
• 10Y*: 7.91%

USEP

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 4.54%
• 6M: 4.43%
• 1Y: 13.63%
• 3Y*: 12.51%
• 5Y*: 7.91%
• 10Y*: —

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

FFTY vs. USEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FFTY Innovator IBD 50 ETF	20.94%	23.38%	18.36%	12.40%	-51.08%	11.92%	18.20%	2.03%
USEP Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September	4.54%	11.75%	12.39%	18.62%	-7.98%	5.73%	7.13%	3.68%

Correlation

The correlation between FFTY and USEP is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 3, 2019	0.70

The correlation between FFTY and USEP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

FFTY vs. USEP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FFTY	USEP
Technology	39.4%	38.4%
Industrials	23.1%	7.9%
Healthcare	12.8%	8.4%
Energy	7.3%	3.2%
Financial Services	6.7%	11.0%
Basic Materials	2.9%	1.7%
Communication Services	2.8%	10.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	4.6%
Consumer Cyclical	2.3%	10.0%
Utilities	2.1%	2.1%
Real Estate	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

FFTY vs. USEP — Risk / Return Rank

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

FFTY

FFTY Risk / Return Rank: 30
FFTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
FFTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
FFTY Omega Ratio Rank: 29
FFTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
FFTY Martin Ratio Rank: 30

USEP

USEP Risk / Return Rank: 85
USEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
USEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
USEP Omega Ratio Rank: 89
USEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
USEP Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

FFTY vs. USEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY) and Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (USEP). 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.

	FFTY	USEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	2.56	-1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.44	3.75	-2.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.51	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	3.40	-1.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.14	17.46	-13.31

FFTY vs. USEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FFTY Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the USEP Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FFTY and USEP, 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

FFTY vs. USEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FFTY drawdown since its inception was -59.46%, which is greater than USEP's maximum drawdown of -13.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FFTY and USEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	FFTY	USEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.46%	-13.37%	-46.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.29%	-4.03%	-19.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.60%	-9.72%	-19.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-59.46%	-11.84%	-47.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.76%	-0.45%	-14.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.34%	-1.88%	-20.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.82%	0.78%	+8.04%

Volatility

FFTY vs. USEP - Volatility Comparison

Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY) has a higher volatility of 13.44% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (USEP) at 1.33%. This indicates that FFTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FFTY	USEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.44%	1.33%	+12.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.50%	4.10%	+24.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.99%	5.38%	+30.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.63%	7.44%	+22.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.67%	8.04%	+19.63%

FFTY vs. USEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

FFTY has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than USEP's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

FFTY vs. USEP - Dividend Comparison

FFTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%, while USEP has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FFTY Innovator IBD 50 ETF	1.11%	1.35%	0.91%	0.65%	2.75%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.17%
USEP Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FFTY and USEP in my portfolio?

FFTY and USEP have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FFTY or USEP?

FFTY has higher volatility (13.44%) compared to USEP (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FFTY dropped -59.46% vs USEP's -13.37%.

Which ETF is better, FFTY or USEP?

On 5-year performance, USEP leads with 7.91% vs -0.44% for FFTY. On fees, USEP is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, USEP has been the lower-risk option at 1.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FFTY or USEP?

Over the 5-year period, USEP has performed better with a 7.91% return vs -0.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FFTY or USEP?

USEP is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FFTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FFTY or USEP?

FFTY has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.00% for USEP.

What is the main difference between FFTY and USEP?

FFTY is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while USEP is Defined Outcome. FFTY tracks IBD 50 Index, while USEP tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FFTY and 0.79% for USEP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 1.02), 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.