ISEP vs. SFLR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISEP (Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - September) and SFLR (Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ISEP is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while SFLR is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ISEP returned 12.58% vs 19.44% for SFLR. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ISEP charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for SFLR.

Performance

ISEP vs. SFLR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - September (ISEP) and Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF (SFLR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISEP achieves a 5.04% return, which is significantly lower than SFLR's 5.55% return.

ISEP

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 1.97%
• YTD: 5.04%
• 6M: 6.62%
• 1Y: 12.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SFLR

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 5.11%
• YTD: 5.55%
• 6M: 5.78%
• 1Y: 19.44%
• 3Y*: 16.02%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ISEP vs. SFLR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ISEP Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - September	5.04%	18.29%	5.41%	4.60%
SFLR Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF	5.55%	13.29%	19.99%	3.51%

Correlation

The correlation between ISEP and SFLR is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2023	0.64

The correlation between ISEP and SFLR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ISEP vs. SFLR — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISEP

ISEP Risk / Return Rank: 45
ISEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
ISEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
ISEP Omega Ratio Rank: 42
ISEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
ISEP Martin Ratio Rank: 50

SFLR

SFLR Risk / Return Rank: 64
SFLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SFLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SFLR Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SFLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SFLR Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

ISEP vs. SFLR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - September (ISEP) and Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF (SFLR). 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.

	ISEP	SFLR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.20	-0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	2.98	-0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.42	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	2.87	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.20	11.73	-3.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISEP vs. SFLR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISEP Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is lower than the SFLR Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISEP and SFLR, 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

	ISEP	SFLR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	2.20	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.28	1.71	-0.43

Drawdowns

ISEP vs. SFLR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISEP drawdown since its inception was -7.36%, smaller than the maximum SFLR drawdown of -12.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISEP and SFLR.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISEP	SFLR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.36%	-12.13%	+4.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.48%	-6.79%	+1.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.13%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-0.38%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.52%	-1.74%	+0.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.54%	1.66%	-0.12%

Volatility

ISEP vs. SFLR - Volatility Comparison

Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - September (ISEP) has a higher volatility of 2.19% compared to Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF (SFLR) at 1.87%. This indicates that ISEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SFLR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ISEP	SFLR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.19%	1.87%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.20%	6.46%	-0.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.81%	8.89%	-0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.53%	10.15%	-0.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.53%	10.15%	-0.62%

ISEP vs. SFLR - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISEP has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than SFLR's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISEP vs. SFLR - Dividend Comparison

ISEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SFLR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
ISEP Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SFLR Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF	0.32%	0.33%	0.42%	1.16%	0.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISEP and SFLR in my portfolio?

ISEP and SFLR have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISEP or SFLR?

ISEP has higher volatility (2.19%) compared to SFLR (1.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISEP dropped -7.36% vs SFLR's -12.13%.

Which ETF is better, ISEP or SFLR?

On 1-year performance, SFLR leads with 19.44% vs 12.58% for ISEP. On fees, ISEP is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, SFLR has been the lower-risk option at 1.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISEP or SFLR?

Over the 1-year period, SFLR has performed better with a 19.44% return vs 12.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISEP or SFLR?

ISEP is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for SFLR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ISEP or SFLR?

SFLR has the higher dividend yield at 0.32%, compared with 0.00% for ISEP.

What is the main difference between ISEP and SFLR?

ISEP is categorized as Defined Outcome, while SFLR is Options Trading. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for ISEP and 0.89% for SFLR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SFLR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.44), 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.