IAUG vs. ZDEK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IAUG (Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF) and ZDEK (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, IAUG returned 10.69% vs 9.03% for ZDEK. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for ZDEK.

Performance

IAUG vs. ZDEK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF (IAUG) 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, IAUG achieves a 5.02% return, which is significantly higher than ZDEK's 2.56% return.

IAUG

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 1.89%
• YTD: 5.02%
• 6M: 6.07%
• 1Y: 10.69%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ZDEK

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 2.56%
• 6M: 2.82%
• 1Y: 9.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IAUG vs. ZDEK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IAUG Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF	5.02%	17.50%	-1.72%
ZDEK Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December	2.56%	7.78%	-0.38%

Correlation

The correlation between IAUG and ZDEK is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2024	0.59

The correlation between IAUG and ZDEK shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (all time) to 0.69 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IAUG vs. ZDEK — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAUG

IAUG Risk / Return Rank: 42
IAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
IAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
IAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 41
IAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
IAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 45

ZDEK

ZDEK Risk / Return Rank: 93
ZDEK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
ZDEK Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
ZDEK Omega Ratio Rank: 95
ZDEK Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
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.

IAUG vs. ZDEK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF (IAUG) 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.

	IAUG	ZDEK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	3.28	-1.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	5.12	-3.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.71	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	6.02	-3.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.28	30.78	-23.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IAUG vs. ZDEK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAUG Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is lower than the ZDEK Sharpe Ratio of 3.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAUG 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

	IAUG	ZDEK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	3.28	-1.91
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.28	2.02	-0.74

Drawdowns

IAUG vs. ZDEK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAUG drawdown since its inception was -8.03%, which is greater than ZDEK's maximum drawdown of -3.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAUG and ZDEK.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAUG	ZDEK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.03%	-3.40%	-4.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.75%	-1.51%	-3.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-0.04%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-0.45%	-1.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.47%	0.29%	+1.18%

Volatility

IAUG vs. ZDEK - Volatility Comparison

Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF (IAUG) has a higher volatility of 1.40% compared to Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK) at 0.36%. This indicates that IAUG'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

	IAUG	ZDEK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.40%	0.36%	+1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.12%	1.64%	+3.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.88%	2.77%	+5.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.01%	3.31%	+5.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.01%	3.31%	+5.70%

IAUG vs. ZDEK - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than ZDEK's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAUG vs. ZDEK - Dividend Comparison

Neither IAUG nor ZDEK has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAUG and ZDEK in my portfolio?

IAUG and ZDEK have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IAUG or ZDEK?

IAUG has higher volatility (1.40%) compared to ZDEK (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAUG dropped -8.03% vs ZDEK's -3.40%.

Which ETF is better, IAUG or ZDEK?

On 1-year performance, IAUG leads with 10.69% vs 9.03% for ZDEK. On fees, ZDEK is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, ZDEK has been the lower-risk option at 0.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IAUG or ZDEK?

Over the 1-year period, IAUG has performed better with a 10.69% return vs 9.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAUG or ZDEK?

ZDEK is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IAUG.

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

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

What is the main difference between IAUG and ZDEK?

Their fees differ too: 0.85% for IAUG and 0.79% for ZDEK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZDEK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.28 vs 1.37), 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.