PSEP vs. CSHP

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PSEP (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September) and CSHP (iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSEP is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while CSHP is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by iShares. PSEP is passively managed, while CSHP is actively managed. Over the past year, PSEP returned 14.82% vs 3.96% for CSHP. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PSEP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for CSHP.

Performance

PSEP vs. CSHP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September (PSEP) and iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF (CSHP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSEP achieves a 5.06% return, which is significantly higher than CSHP's 1.86% return.

PSEP

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 5.06%
• 6M: 5.05%
• 1Y: 14.82%
• 3Y*: 12.68%
• 5Y*: 9.30%
• 10Y*: —

CSHP

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.86%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 3.96%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PSEP vs. CSHP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September	5.06%	11.85%	3.73%
CSHP iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF	1.86%	4.10%	2.24%

Correlation

The correlation between PSEP and CSHP is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2024	0.01

The correlation between PSEP and CSHP shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.01 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PSEP vs. CSHP — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSEP

PSEP Risk / Return Rank: 85
PSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
PSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
PSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 89
PSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
PSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 89

CSHP

CSHP Risk / Return Rank: 99
CSHP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
CSHP Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
CSHP Omega Ratio Rank: 99
CSHP Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
CSHP Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

PSEP vs. CSHP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September (PSEP) and iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF (CSHP). 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.

	PSEP	CSHP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	11.22	-8.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.90	28.31	-24.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	6.67	-5.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	65.84	-62.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.25	395.75	-376.50

PSEP vs. CSHP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.64, which is lower than the CSHP Sharpe Ratio of 11.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSEP and CSHP, 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

PSEP vs. CSHP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSEP drawdown since its inception was -17.90%, which is greater than CSHP's maximum drawdown of -0.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSEP and CSHP.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSEP	CSHP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.90%	-0.08%	-17.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.08%	-0.06%	-4.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.92%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-0.01%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.55%	-0.00%	-1.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	0.01%	+0.76%

Volatility

PSEP vs. CSHP - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September (PSEP) has a higher volatility of 1.26% compared to iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF (CSHP) at 0.15%. This indicates that PSEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CSHP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSEP	CSHP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.26%	0.15%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.33%	0.27%	+4.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.64%	0.36%	+5.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.62%	0.41%	+8.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.09%	0.41%	+9.68%

PSEP vs. CSHP - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSEP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than CSHP's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSEP vs. CSHP - Dividend Comparison

PSEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while CSHP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.91%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CSHP iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF	3.91%	5.39%	1.96%
PSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSEP and CSHP in my portfolio?

PSEP and CSHP have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSEP or CSHP?

PSEP has higher volatility (1.26%) compared to CSHP (0.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSEP dropped -17.90% vs CSHP's -0.08%.

Which ETF is better, PSEP or CSHP?

On 1-year performance, PSEP leads with 14.82% vs 3.96% for CSHP. On fees, CSHP is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, CSHP has been the lower-risk option at 0.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSEP or CSHP?

Over the 1-year period, PSEP has performed better with a 14.82% return vs 3.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSEP or CSHP?

CSHP is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for PSEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSEP or CSHP?

CSHP has the higher dividend yield at 3.91%, compared with 0.00% for PSEP.

What is the main difference between PSEP and CSHP?

PSEP is categorized as Defined Outcome, while CSHP is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for PSEP and 0.20% for CSHP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CSHP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.22 vs 2.64), 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.