UDEC vs. FMAR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

UDEC (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December) and FMAR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March) are both Defined Outcome funds. UDEC is passively managed, while FMAR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, UDEC returned 7.31%/yr vs 10.92%/yr for FMAR. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. UDEC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FMAR.

Performance

UDEC vs. FMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December (UDEC) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UDEC achieves a 5.27% return, which is significantly lower than FMAR's 10.25% return.

UDEC

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 5.27%
• 6M: 5.86%
• 1Y: 17.62%
• 3Y*: 12.49%
• 5Y*: 7.31%
• 10Y*: —

FMAR

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.97%
• YTD: 10.25%
• 6M: 11.34%
• 1Y: 19.83%
• 3Y*: 14.63%
• 5Y*: 10.92%
• 10Y*: —

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

UDEC vs. FMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
UDEC Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December	5.27%	12.97%	9.52%	16.80%	-9.44%	5.02%
FMAR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March	10.25%	9.69%	14.61%	20.39%	-5.51%	11.38%

Correlation

The correlation between UDEC and FMAR is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2021	0.86

The correlation between UDEC and FMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

UDEC vs. FMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UDEC	FMAR
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

UDEC vs. FMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

UDEC

UDEC Risk / Return Rank: 84
UDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
UDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
UDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 86
UDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
UDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 88

FMAR

FMAR Risk / Return Rank: 97
FMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
FMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 98
FMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FMAR 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.

UDEC vs. FMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December (UDEC) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR). 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.

	UDEC	FMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	3.92	-1.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.96	6.30	-2.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.99	-0.45
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.05	8.55	-4.50
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	19.85	59.00	-39.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UDEC vs. FMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is lower than the FMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UDEC and FMAR, 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

	UDEC	FMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.71	3.92	-1.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.02	1.05	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	1.11	-0.19

Drawdowns

UDEC vs. FMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UDEC drawdown since its inception was -13.37%, smaller than the maximum FMAR drawdown of -14.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UDEC and FMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	UDEC	FMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.37%	-14.36%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.44%	-2.36%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.94%	-12.37%	+3.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.26%	-14.36%	+4.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	0.00%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.17%	-2.14%	-0.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	0.34%	+0.57%

Volatility

UDEC vs. FMAR - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December (UDEC) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR) have volatilities of 0.96% and 0.98%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UDEC	FMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.96%	0.98%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.27%	3.94%	+0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.53%	5.08%	+1.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.18%	10.45%	-3.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.02%	10.35%	-2.33%

UDEC vs. FMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

UDEC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than FMAR's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

UDEC vs. FMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither UDEC nor FMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UDEC and FMAR in my portfolio?

UDEC and FMAR have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UDEC or FMAR?

FMAR has higher volatility (0.98%) compared to UDEC (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UDEC dropped -13.37% vs FMAR's -14.36%.

Which ETF is better, UDEC or FMAR?

On 5-year performance, FMAR leads with 10.92% vs 7.31% for UDEC. On fees, UDEC is cheaper at 0.79% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UDEC or FMAR?

Over the 5-year period, FMAR has performed better with a 10.92% return vs 7.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UDEC or FMAR?

UDEC is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UDEC or FMAR?

UDEC and FMAR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between UDEC and FMAR?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for UDEC and 0.85% for FMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.92 vs 2.71), 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.