FTCE vs. UNOV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTCE (First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF) and UNOV (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - FTCE tracks the Bloomberg New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders 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, FTCE returned 37.80% vs 14.46% for UNOV. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTCE charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for UNOV.

Performance

FTCE vs. UNOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) 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, FTCE achieves a 14.69% return, which is significantly higher than UNOV's 5.63% return.

FTCE

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 10.79%
• YTD: 14.69%
• 6M: 15.43%
• 1Y: 37.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UNOV

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 2.20%
• YTD: 5.63%
• 6M: 6.03%
• 1Y: 14.46%
• 3Y*: 10.28%
• 5Y*: 6.74%
• 10Y*: —

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

FTCE vs. UNOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTCE First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF	14.69%	26.14%	-0.04%
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	5.63%	9.92%	2.14%

Correlation

The correlation between FTCE and UNOV is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2024	0.80

The correlation between FTCE and UNOV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTCE vs. UNOV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTCE	UNOV
Technology	21.8%	36.2%
Industrials	15.8%	8.1%
Financial Services	14.9%	11.9%
Healthcare	10.9%	8.4%
Utilities	7.9%	2.3%
Real Estate	6.9%	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	5.9%	10.1%
Energy	5.0%	3.5%
Basic Materials	4.0%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	4.9%
Communication Services	2.0%	10.9%

Return for Risk

FTCE vs. UNOV — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTCE

FTCE Risk / Return Rank: 81
FTCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FTCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FTCE Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FTCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FTCE Martin Ratio Rank: 75

UNOV

UNOV Risk / Return Rank: 78
UNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
UNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
UNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 85
UNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
UNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

FTCE vs. UNOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) 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.

	FTCE	UNOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.91	2.61	+0.31
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	3.78	+0.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.53	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.77	3.20	+0.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.49	15.61	-1.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTCE vs. UNOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTCE Sharpe Ratio is 2.91, which is comparable to the UNOV Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTCE 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

	FTCE	UNOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.91	2.61	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.50	0.92	+0.58

Drawdowns

FTCE vs. UNOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTCE drawdown since its inception was -18.11%, which is greater than UNOV's maximum drawdown of -13.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCE and UNOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTCE	UNOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.11%	-13.84%	-4.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.16%	-4.52%	-5.64%
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	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.50%	-1.66%	-0.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.64%	0.93%	+1.71%

Volatility

FTCE vs. UNOV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) has a higher volatility of 3.33% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV) at 1.13%. This indicates that FTCE'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

	FTCE	UNOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	1.13%	+2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.16%	4.67%	+5.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.03%	5.58%	+7.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.76%	6.83%	+9.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.76%	7.72%	+9.04%

FTCE vs. UNOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTCE has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than UNOV's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTCE vs. UNOV - Dividend Comparison

FTCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, while UNOV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FTCE First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF	0.79%	0.96%	0.28%
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTCE and UNOV in my portfolio?

FTCE and UNOV have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTCE or UNOV?

FTCE has higher volatility (3.33%) compared to UNOV (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTCE dropped -18.11% vs UNOV's -13.84%.

Which ETF is better, FTCE or UNOV?

On 1-year performance, FTCE leads with 37.80% vs 14.46% for UNOV. On fees, FTCE is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, UNOV has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTCE or UNOV?

Over the 1-year period, FTCE has performed better with a 37.80% return vs 14.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTCE or UNOV?

FTCE is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for UNOV.

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

FTCE has the higher dividend yield at 0.79%, compared with 0.00% for UNOV.

What is the main difference between FTCE and UNOV?

FTCE tracks Bloomberg New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders 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: 0.60% for FTCE and 0.79% for UNOV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTCE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.91 vs 2.60), 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.