KNOV vs. SMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KNOV (Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - November) and SMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, KNOV returned 24.28% vs 9.17% for SMAX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KNOV charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SMAX.

Performance

KNOV vs. SMAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KNOV achieves a 8.98% return, which is significantly higher than SMAX's 3.09% return.

KNOV

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 1.86%
• YTD: 8.98%
• 6M: 8.75%
• 1Y: 24.28%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMAX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 1.09%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 6M: 3.54%
• 1Y: 9.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

KNOV vs. SMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KNOV Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - November	8.98%	11.91%	1.18%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	3.09%	8.01%	1.10%

Correlation

The correlation between KNOV and SMAX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2024	0.68

The correlation between KNOV and SMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KNOV vs. SMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

KNOV

KNOV Risk / Return Rank: 73
KNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
KNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
KNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 64
KNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
KNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 81

SMAX

SMAX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
SMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

KNOV vs. SMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - November (KNOV) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX). 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.

	KNOV	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	3.46	-1.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	5.32	-2.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.75	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.55	4.81	-0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.82	26.11	-10.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KNOV vs. SMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KNOV Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is lower than the SMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KNOV and SMAX, 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

	KNOV	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	3.46	-1.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.12	2.01	-0.89

Drawdowns

KNOV vs. SMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KNOV drawdown since its inception was -15.03%, which is greater than SMAX's maximum drawdown of -3.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KNOV and SMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	KNOV	SMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.03%	-3.90%	-11.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.36%	-1.91%	-3.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.54%	-0.09%	-0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.61%	-0.40%	-2.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.54%	0.35%	+1.19%

Volatility

KNOV vs. SMAX - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - November (KNOV) has a higher volatility of 2.23% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX) at 0.38%. This indicates that KNOV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KNOV	SMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.23%	0.38%	+1.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.90%	2.10%	+4.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.37%	2.67%	+8.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.86%	3.67%	+9.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.86%	3.67%	+9.19%

KNOV vs. SMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

KNOV has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than SMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

KNOV vs. SMAX - Dividend Comparison

KNOV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
KNOV Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - November	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	0.95%	0.98%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KNOV and SMAX in my portfolio?

KNOV and SMAX have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KNOV or SMAX?

KNOV has higher volatility (2.23%) compared to SMAX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KNOV dropped -15.03% vs SMAX's -3.90%.

Which ETF is better, KNOV or SMAX?

On 1-year performance, KNOV leads with 24.28% vs 9.17% for SMAX. On fees, SMAX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SMAX has been the lower-risk option at 0.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KNOV or SMAX?

Over the 1-year period, KNOV has performed better with a 24.28% return vs 9.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KNOV or SMAX?

SMAX is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for KNOV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KNOV or SMAX?

SMAX has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for KNOV.

What is the main difference between KNOV and SMAX?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for KNOV and 0.50% for SMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.46 vs 2.15), 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.