KMAY vs. STEN

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

KMAY (Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - May) and STEN (iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Sep ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KMAY charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for STEN.

Performance

KMAY vs. STEN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - May (KMAY) and iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Sep ETF (STEN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KMAY achieves a 6.81% return, which is significantly lower than STEN's 8.61% return.

KMAY

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 0.77%
• 6M: 5.68%
• YTD: 6.81%
• 1Y: 13.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

STEN

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 1.69%
• 6M: 7.34%
• YTD: 8.61%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

KMAY vs. STEN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
KMAY Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - May	6.81%	2.57%
STEN iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Sep ETF	8.61%	2.36%

Correlation

The correlation between KMAY and STEN is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2025	0.78

Return for Risk

KMAY vs. STEN — Risk / Return Rank

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

KMAY

KMAY Risk / Return Rank: 90
KMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
KMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
KMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 88
KMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
KMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 95

STEN

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

KMAY vs. STEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - May (KMAY) and iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Sep ETF (STEN). 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.

	KMAY	STEN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.80	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.60	—	—

Drawdowns

KMAY vs. STEN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KMAY drawdown since its inception was -2.38%, smaller than the maximum STEN drawdown of -6.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KMAY and STEN.

Drawdown Indicators

	KMAY	STEN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.38%	-6.21%	+3.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.14%	-0.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.36%	-0.91%	+0.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.58%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	KMAY	STEN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.84%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.97%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.49%	9.26%	-2.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.93%	9.26%	-2.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.93%	9.26%	-2.33%

KMAY vs. STEN - Expense Ratio Comparison

KMAY has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than STEN's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

KMAY vs. STEN - Dividend Comparison

KMAY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while STEN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.29%.

Position	TTM	2025
KMAY Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - May	0.00%	0.00%
STEN iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Sep ETF	0.29%	0.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KMAY and STEN in my portfolio?

KMAY and STEN have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, KMAY or STEN?

On fees, STEN is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, KMAY or STEN?

STEN is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for KMAY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KMAY or STEN?

STEN has the higher dividend yield at 0.29%, compared with 0.00% for KMAY.

What is the main difference between KMAY and STEN?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and BlackRock. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for KMAY and 0.50% for STEN.