UNOV vs. MGC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UNOV (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November) and MGC (Vanguard Mega Cap ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - UNOV tracks the Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect November Series Index while MGC tracks the CRSP US Mega Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UNOV returned 6.68%/yr vs 14.70%/yr for MGC. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. UNOV charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for MGC.

Performance

UNOV vs. MGC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV) and Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UNOV achieves a 5.40% return, which is significantly lower than MGC's 10.80% return.

UNOV

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 2.17%
• YTD: 5.40%
• 6M: 5.64%
• 1Y: 13.88%
• 3Y*: 10.20%
• 5Y*: 6.68%
• 10Y*: —

MGC

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 5.59%
• YTD: 10.80%
• 6M: 10.75%
• 1Y: 29.68%
• 3Y*: 23.87%
• 5Y*: 14.70%
• 10Y*: 16.36%

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

UNOV vs. MGC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	5.40%	9.92%	9.42%	14.18%	-6.23%	4.45%	8.31%	1.87%
MGC Vanguard Mega Cap ETF	10.80%	19.31%	27.16%	29.77%	-19.95%	27.58%	21.57%	5.83%

Correlation

The correlation between UNOV and MGC is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2019	0.84

The correlation between UNOV and MGC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

UNOV vs. MGC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UNOV	MGC
Technology	36.2%	39.3%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.7%
Communication Services	10.9%	13.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.9%
Industrials	8.1%	6.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.8%
Energy	3.5%	2.6%
Utilities	2.3%	1.0%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.0%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.2%

Return for Risk

UNOV vs. MGC — Risk / Return Rank

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

UNOV

UNOV Risk / Return Rank: 77
UNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
UNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
UNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 84
UNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
UNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 78

MGC

MGC Risk / Return Rank: 69
MGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
MGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
MGC Omega Ratio Rank: 71
MGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
MGC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

UNOV vs. MGC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV) and Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC). 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.

	UNOV	MGC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.42	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	3.30	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.43	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	3.03	+0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.01	13.61	+1.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UNOV vs. MGC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UNOV Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the MGC Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UNOV and MGC, 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

	UNOV	MGC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	2.42	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98	0.86	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.90	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.60	+0.32

Drawdowns

UNOV vs. MGC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UNOV drawdown since its inception was -13.84%, smaller than the maximum MGC drawdown of -51.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UNOV and MGC.

Drawdown Indicators

	UNOV	MGC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.84%	-51.93%	+38.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.52%	-9.85%	+5.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.10%	-19.28%	+10.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.10%	-25.74%	+16.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.79%	+0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.66%	-7.06%	+5.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	2.19%	-1.26%

Volatility

UNOV vs. MGC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November (UNOV) is 1.14%, while Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC) has a volatility of 3.04%. This indicates that UNOV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MGC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UNOV	MGC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	3.04%	-1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.67%	9.27%	-4.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.58%	12.32%	-6.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.83%	17.27%	-10.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.72%	18.21%	-10.49%

UNOV vs. MGC - Expense Ratio Comparison

UNOV has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than MGC's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

UNOV vs. MGC - Dividend Comparison

UNOV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MGC Vanguard Mega Cap ETF	0.87%	0.93%	1.15%	1.35%	1.65%	1.17%	1.45%	1.81%	2.10%	1.83%	2.14%	2.11%
UNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UNOV and MGC in my portfolio?

UNOV and MGC have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UNOV or MGC?

MGC has higher volatility (3.04%) compared to UNOV (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UNOV dropped -13.84% vs MGC's -51.93%.

Which ETF is better, UNOV or MGC?

On 5-year performance, MGC leads with 14.70% vs 6.68% for UNOV. On fees, MGC is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, UNOV has been the lower-risk option at 1.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UNOV or MGC?

Over the 5-year period, MGC has performed better with a 14.70% return vs 6.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UNOV or MGC?

MGC is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for UNOV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UNOV or MGC?

MGC has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.00% for UNOV.

What is the main difference between UNOV and MGC?

UNOV tracks Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect November Series Index, while MGC tracks CRSP US Mega Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for UNOV and 0.05% for MGC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UNOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.42), 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.