NSEP vs. FFTY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NSEP (Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - September) and FFTY (Innovator IBD 50 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NSEP is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while FFTY is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the IBD 50 Index. NSEP is actively managed, while FFTY is passively managed. Over the past year, NSEP returned 16.89% vs 38.14% for FFTY. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NSEP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FFTY.

Performance

NSEP vs. FFTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - September (NSEP) and Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NSEP achieves a 6.61% return, which is significantly lower than FFTY's 20.11% return.

NSEP

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.85%
• YTD: 6.61%
• 6M: 6.79%
• 1Y: 16.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FFTY

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 7.67%
• YTD: 20.11%
• 6M: 21.02%
• 1Y: 38.14%
• 3Y*: 21.57%
• 5Y*: -0.60%
• 10Y*: 7.57%

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

NSEP vs. FFTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NSEP Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - September	6.61%	13.80%	6.14%
FFTY Innovator IBD 50 ETF	20.11%	23.38%	15.89%

Correlation

The correlation between NSEP and FFTY is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2024	0.69

The correlation between NSEP and FFTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NSEP vs. FFTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSEP

NSEP Risk / Return Rank: 80
NSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
NSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
NSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 85
NSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
NSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 85

FFTY

FFTY Risk / Return Rank: 30
FFTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FFTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
FFTY Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FFTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
FFTY Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

NSEP vs. FFTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - September (NSEP) and Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY). 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.

	NSEP	FFTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	1.12	+1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	1.55	+1.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.20	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	1.65	+1.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.58	4.36	+13.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NSEP vs. FFTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is higher than the FFTY Sharpe Ratio of 1.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSEP and FFTY, 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

	NSEP	FFTY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	1.12	+1.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.02	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.50	0.20	+1.30

Drawdowns

NSEP vs. FFTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSEP drawdown since its inception was -12.31%, smaller than the maximum FFTY drawdown of -59.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSEP and FFTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSEP	FFTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.31%	-59.46%	+47.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.66%	-23.29%	+18.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-29.60%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-59.46%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-59.46%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-15.34%	+15.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.09%	-22.38%	+21.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	8.77%	-7.81%

Volatility

NSEP vs. FFTY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - September (NSEP) is 0.70%, while Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY) has a volatility of 9.42%. This indicates that NSEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FFTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSEP	FFTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.70%	9.42%	-8.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.26%	26.18%	-20.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.76%	34.09%	-27.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.47%	29.14%	-18.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.47%	27.41%	-16.94%

NSEP vs. FFTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSEP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than FFTY's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSEP vs. FFTY - Dividend Comparison

NSEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FFTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FFTY Innovator IBD 50 ETF	1.12%	1.35%	0.91%	0.65%	2.75%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.17%
NSEP Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSEP and FFTY in my portfolio?

NSEP and FFTY have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSEP or FFTY?

FFTY has higher volatility (9.42%) compared to NSEP (0.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSEP dropped -12.31% vs FFTY's -59.46%.

Which ETF is better, NSEP or FFTY?

On 1-year performance, FFTY leads with 38.14% vs 16.89% for NSEP. On fees, NSEP is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, NSEP has been the lower-risk option at 0.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NSEP or FFTY?

Over the 1-year period, FFTY has performed better with a 38.14% return vs 16.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NSEP or FFTY?

NSEP is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FFTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NSEP or FFTY?

FFTY has the higher dividend yield at 1.12%, compared with 0.00% for NSEP.

What is the main difference between NSEP and FFTY?

NSEP is categorized as Defined Outcome, while FFTY is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for NSEP and 0.80% for FFTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NSEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.12), 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.