SEPM vs. ZMAY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SEPM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September) and ZMAY (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SEPM returned 7.70% vs 5.93% for ZMAY. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SEPM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for ZMAY.

Performance

SEPM vs. ZMAY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September (SEPM) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May (ZMAY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEPM achieves a 3.00% return, which is significantly higher than ZMAY's 2.24% return.

SEPM

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 3.00%
• 6M: 3.43%
• 1Y: 7.70%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ZMAY

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 2.24%
• 6M: 2.79%
• 1Y: 5.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SEPM vs. ZMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SEPM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September	3.00%	6.64%
ZMAY Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May	2.24%	4.67%

Correlation

The correlation between SEPM and ZMAY 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 May 2, 2025	0.66

The correlation between SEPM and ZMAY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SEPM vs. ZMAY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEPM

SEPM Risk / Return Rank: 90
SEPM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
SEPM Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SEPM Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SEPM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
SEPM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

ZMAY

ZMAY Risk / Return Rank: 97
ZMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
ZMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
ZMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 97
ZMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ZMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

SEPM vs. ZMAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September (SEPM) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May (ZMAY). 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.

	SEPM	ZMAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	4.11	-1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.71	7.32	-2.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.95	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.24	15.23	-10.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.53	70.67	-49.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEPM vs. ZMAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEPM Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is comparable to the ZMAY Sharpe Ratio of 4.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEPM and ZMAY, 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

	SEPM	ZMAY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.05	4.11	-1.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.78	4.26	-2.48

Drawdowns

SEPM vs. ZMAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEPM drawdown since its inception was -3.88%, which is greater than ZMAY's maximum drawdown of -0.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEPM and ZMAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEPM	ZMAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.88%	-0.39%	-3.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.82%	-0.39%	-1.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-0.02%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.36%	-0.05%	-0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.36%	0.08%	+0.28%

Volatility

SEPM vs. ZMAY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September (SEPM) is 0.35%, while Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May (ZMAY) has a volatility of 0.50%. This indicates that SEPM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZMAY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEPM	ZMAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	0.50%	-0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.98%	1.06%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.54%	1.45%	+1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.50%	1.52%	+1.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.50%	1.52%	+1.98%

SEPM vs. ZMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEPM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than ZMAY's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEPM vs. ZMAY - Dividend Comparison

Neither SEPM nor ZMAY has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEPM and ZMAY in my portfolio?

SEPM and ZMAY 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, SEPM or ZMAY?

ZMAY has higher volatility (0.50%) compared to SEPM (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEPM dropped -3.88% vs ZMAY's -0.39%.

Which ETF is better, SEPM or ZMAY?

On 1-year performance, SEPM leads with 7.70% vs 5.93% for ZMAY. On fees, ZMAY is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, SEPM has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEPM or ZMAY?

Over the 1-year period, SEPM has performed better with a 7.70% return vs 5.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEPM or ZMAY?

ZMAY is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for SEPM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEPM or ZMAY?

SEPM and ZMAY have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between SEPM and ZMAY?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for SEPM and 0.79% for ZMAY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.11 vs 3.05), 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.