PMAR vs. BALT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PMAR (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - March) and BALT (Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - PMAR tracks the Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect March Series Index while BALT tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, PMAR returned 12.46%/yr vs 7.11%/yr for BALT. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PMAR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BALT.

Performance

PMAR vs. BALT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - March (PMAR) and Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PMAR achieves a 5.76% return, which is significantly higher than BALT's 2.21% return.

PMAR

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 5.76%
• 6M: 5.79%
• 1Y: 14.20%
• 3Y*: 12.46%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: —

BALT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 2.21%
• 6M: 2.42%
• 1Y: 6.86%
• 3Y*: 7.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PMAR vs. BALT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PMAR Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - March	5.76%	11.82%	12.83%	15.95%	-2.65%	3.30%
BALT Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF	2.21%	6.65%	9.98%	7.45%	2.54%	0.91%

Correlation

The correlation between PMAR and BALT is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2021	0.75

The correlation between PMAR and BALT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PMAR vs. BALT — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMAR

PMAR Risk / Return Rank: 87
PMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 93
PMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 91

BALT

BALT Risk / Return Rank: 94
BALT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
BALT Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BALT Omega Ratio Rank: 95
BALT Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
BALT Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

PMAR vs. BALT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - March (PMAR) and Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT). 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.

	PMAR	BALT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	3.19	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.96	4.88	-0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.69	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.47	5.98	-2.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.17	22.31	-2.13

PMAR vs. BALT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMAR Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is comparable to the BALT Sharpe Ratio of 3.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMAR and BALT, 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

PMAR vs. BALT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMAR drawdown since its inception was -17.18%, which is greater than BALT's maximum drawdown of -4.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMAR and BALT.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMAR	BALT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.18%	-4.89%	-12.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.11%	-1.15%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.32%	-4.89%	-4.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.84%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	0.00%	-0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.55%	-0.34%	-1.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.71%	0.31%	+0.40%

Volatility

PMAR vs. BALT - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - March (PMAR) has a higher volatility of 1.69% compared to Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT) at 0.29%. This indicates that PMAR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BALT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMAR	BALT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.69%	0.29%	+1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.41%	1.45%	+2.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.35%	2.16%	+3.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.20%	3.30%	+4.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.71%	3.30%	+7.41%

PMAR vs. BALT - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMAR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than BALT's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMAR vs. BALT - Dividend Comparison

Neither PMAR nor BALT has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMAR and BALT in my portfolio?

PMAR and BALT have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PMAR or BALT?

PMAR has higher volatility (1.69%) compared to BALT (0.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMAR dropped -17.18% vs BALT's -4.89%.

Which ETF is better, PMAR or BALT?

On 3-year performance, PMAR leads with 12.46% vs 7.11% for BALT. On fees, BALT is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, BALT has been the lower-risk option at 0.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PMAR or BALT?

Over the 3-year period, PMAR has performed better with a 12.46% return vs 7.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PMAR or BALT?

BALT is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for PMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PMAR or BALT?

PMAR and BALT have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PMAR and BALT?

PMAR tracks Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect March Series Index, while BALT tracks S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for PMAR and 0.69% for BALT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BALT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.19 vs 2.68), 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.