NDEC vs. DMAX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

NDEC (Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - December) and DMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds - NDEC tracks the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 while DMAX tracks the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, NDEC returned 16.01% vs 7.24% for DMAX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NDEC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for DMAX.

Performance

NDEC vs. DMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - December (NDEC) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NDEC achieves a 8.42% return, which is significantly higher than DMAX's 2.85% return.

NDEC

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 0.95%
• 6M: 7.35%
• YTD: 8.42%
• 1Y: 16.01%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DMAX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.51%
• 6M: 2.62%
• YTD: 2.85%
• 1Y: 7.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NDEC vs. DMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NDEC Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - December	8.42%	13.67%
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	2.85%	7.51%

Correlation

The correlation between NDEC and DMAX 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2025	0.81

The correlation between NDEC and DMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NDEC vs. DMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NDEC

NDEC Risk / Return Rank: 79
NDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
NDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
NDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 85
NDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
NDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 79

DMAX

DMAX Risk / Return Rank: 95
DMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
DMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

NDEC vs. DMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - December (NDEC) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX). 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.

	NDEC	DMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	3.15	-1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	4.79	-1.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.66	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.59	5.11	-2.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.05	25.22	-13.16

NDEC vs. DMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is lower than the DMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NDEC and DMAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NDEC vs. DMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NDEC drawdown since its inception was -12.98%, which is greater than DMAX's maximum drawdown of -3.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NDEC and DMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NDEC	DMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.98%	-3.37%	-9.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.19%	-1.41%	-4.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.40%	-0.37%	-1.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.33%	0.29%	+1.04%

Volatility

NDEC vs. DMAX - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - December (NDEC) has a higher volatility of 2.73% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX) at 0.64%. This indicates that NDEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NDEC	DMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.73%	0.64%	+2.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.70%	1.65%	+5.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.69%	2.29%	+5.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.51%	3.34%	+8.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.51%	3.34%	+8.17%

NDEC vs. DMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NDEC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than DMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

NDEC vs. DMAX - Dividend Comparison

NDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%.

Position	TTM	2025
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	1.15%	1.18%
NDEC Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NDEC and DMAX in my portfolio?

NDEC and DMAX 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 is riskier, NDEC or DMAX?

NDEC has higher volatility (2.73%) compared to DMAX (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NDEC dropped -12.98% vs DMAX's -3.37%.

Which ETF is better, NDEC or DMAX?

On 1-year performance, NDEC leads with 16.01% vs 7.24% for DMAX. On fees, DMAX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, DMAX has been the lower-risk option at 0.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NDEC or DMAX?

Over the 1-year period, NDEC has performed better with a 16.01% return vs 7.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NDEC or DMAX?

DMAX is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for NDEC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NDEC or DMAX?

DMAX has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.00% for NDEC.

What is the main difference between NDEC and DMAX?

NDEC tracks Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1, while DMAX tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for NDEC and 0.50% for DMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 2.09), 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.