UDEC vs. QFLR

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

UDEC (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December) and QFLR (Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while QFLR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Innovator. UDEC is passively managed, while QFLR is actively managed. Over the past year, UDEC returned 14.96% vs 19.39% for QFLR. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. UDEC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for QFLR.

Performance

UDEC vs. QFLR - 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 Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF (QFLR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UDEC achieves a 4.37% return, which is significantly higher than QFLR's 3.09% return.

UDEC

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 4.37%
• 6M: 3.90%
• 1Y: 14.96%
• 3Y*: 11.67%
• 5Y*: 7.04%
• 10Y*: —

QFLR

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -2.43%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 6M: 2.26%
• 1Y: 19.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

UDEC vs. QFLR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
UDEC Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December	4.37%	12.97%	8.24%
QFLR Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF	3.09%	17.27%	16.30%

Correlation

The correlation between UDEC and QFLR is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2024	0.81

The correlation between UDEC and QFLR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

UDEC vs. QFLR — Risk / Return Rank

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

UDEC

UDEC Risk / Return Rank: 83
UDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
UDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
UDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 85
UDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
UDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 87

QFLR

QFLR Risk / Return Rank: 53
QFLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
QFLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
QFLR Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QFLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
QFLR Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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. QFLR - 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 Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF (QFLR). 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.

	UDEC	QFLR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.53	+0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.31	2.06	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.29	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	2.56	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.31	10.06	+6.25

UDEC vs. QFLR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the QFLR Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UDEC and QFLR, 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

UDEC vs. QFLR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UDEC drawdown since its inception was -13.37%, roughly equal to the maximum QFLR drawdown of -13.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UDEC and QFLR.

Drawdown Indicators

	UDEC	QFLR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.37%	-13.97%	+0.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.44%	-7.61%	+3.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.94%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-4.02%	+3.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.15%	-2.51%	+0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	1.93%	-1.01%

Volatility

UDEC vs. QFLR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December (UDEC) is 1.88%, while Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF (QFLR) has a volatility of 6.55%. This indicates that UDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QFLR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UDEC	QFLR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.88%	6.55%	-4.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.51%	9.85%	-5.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.60%	12.76%	-6.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.23%	13.12%	-5.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.01%	13.12%	-5.11%

UDEC vs. QFLR - Expense Ratio Comparison

UDEC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than QFLR's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

UDEC vs. QFLR - Dividend Comparison

Neither UDEC nor QFLR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QFLR Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF	0.00%	0.02%	0.03%
UDEC Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UDEC and QFLR in my portfolio?

UDEC and QFLR have a correlation of 0.82, 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 QFLR?

QFLR has higher volatility (6.55%) compared to UDEC (1.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UDEC dropped -13.37% vs QFLR's -13.97%.

Which ETF is better, UDEC or QFLR?

On 1-year performance, QFLR leads with 19.39% vs 14.96% for UDEC. On fees, UDEC is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, UDEC has been the lower-risk option at 1.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UDEC or QFLR?

Over the 1-year period, QFLR has performed better with a 19.39% return vs 14.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UDEC or QFLR?

UDEC is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for QFLR.

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

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

What is the main difference between UDEC and QFLR?

UDEC is categorized as Defined Outcome, while QFLR is Nasdaq-100. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for UDEC and 0.89% for QFLR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.53), 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.