UMAR vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

UMAR (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - March) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UMAR is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. UMAR is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, UMAR returned 7.60%/yr vs 12.76%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UMAR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

UMAR vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UMAR achieves a 5.08% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -5.55% return.

UMAR

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 0.02%
• YTD: 5.08%
• 6M: 5.08%
• 1Y: 13.25%
• 3Y*: 12.19%
• 5Y*: 7.60%
• 10Y*: —

IGLD

• 1D: -1.96%
• 1M: -8.08%
• YTD: -5.55%
• 6M: -8.37%
• 1Y: 14.83%
• 3Y*: 20.33%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: —

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

UMAR vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
UMAR Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - March	5.08%	11.94%	12.94%	12.22%	-5.49%	5.73%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-5.55%	47.46%	19.36%	9.24%	-2.34%	4.30%

Correlation

The correlation between UMAR and IGLD is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021	0.14

The correlation between UMAR and IGLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (5 years) to 0.25 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

UMAR vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

UMAR

UMAR Risk / Return Rank: 87
UMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
UMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
UMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 91
UMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
UMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 91

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 18
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 20
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

UMAR vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - March (UMAR) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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.

	UMAR	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	0.61	+2.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	0.94	+2.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.14	+0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.68	0.68	+3.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.08	1.94	+18.14

UMAR vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UMAR Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UMAR and IGLD, 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

UMAR vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UMAR drawdown since its inception was -11.08%, smaller than the maximum IGLD drawdown of -21.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UMAR and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	UMAR	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.08%	-21.90%	+10.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.61%	-21.90%	+18.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.41%	-21.90%	+14.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.72%	-21.90%	+13.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-21.20%	+20.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.62%	-5.37%	+3.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	7.68%	-7.02%

Volatility

UMAR vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - March (UMAR) is 1.83%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 8.14%. This indicates that UMAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UMAR	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.83%	8.14%	-6.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.13%	22.34%	-18.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.11%	24.40%	-19.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.58%	15.48%	-8.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.52%	15.30%	-7.78%

UMAR vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

UMAR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

UMAR vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

UMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.29%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	19.29%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%
UMAR Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UMAR and IGLD in my portfolio?

UMAR and IGLD have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UMAR or IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to UMAR (1.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UMAR dropped -11.08% vs IGLD's -21.90%.

Which ETF is better, UMAR or IGLD?

On 5-year performance, IGLD leads with 12.76% vs 7.60% for UMAR. On fees, UMAR is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, UMAR has been the lower-risk option at 1.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UMAR or IGLD?

Over the 5-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 12.76% return vs 7.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UMAR or IGLD?

UMAR is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UMAR or IGLD?

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 19.29%, compared with 0.00% for UMAR.

What is the main difference between UMAR and IGLD?

UMAR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IGLD is Gold. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for UMAR and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 0.61), 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.