USEP vs. FFTY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

USEP (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September) and FFTY (Innovator IBD 50 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USEP is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while FFTY is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the IBD 50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USEP returned 8.06%/yr vs -0.31%/yr for FFTY. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USEP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FFTY.

Performance

USEP vs. FFTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (USEP) and Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USEP achieves a 4.81% return, which is significantly lower than FFTY's 20.28% return.

USEP

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 1.57%
• YTD: 4.81%
• 6M: 5.48%
• 1Y: 15.31%
• 3Y*: 13.14%
• 5Y*: 8.06%
• 10Y*: —

FFTY

• 1D: 3.08%
• 1M: 8.42%
• YTD: 20.28%
• 6M: 21.99%
• 1Y: 39.43%
• 3Y*: 21.63%
• 5Y*: -0.31%
• 10Y*: 7.59%

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

USEP vs. FFTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
USEP Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September	4.81%	11.75%	12.39%	18.62%	-7.98%	5.73%	7.13%	3.60%
FFTY Innovator IBD 50 ETF	20.28%	23.38%	18.36%	12.40%	-51.08%	11.92%	18.20%	3.27%

Correlation

The correlation between USEP and FFTY is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2019	0.70

The correlation between USEP and FFTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

USEP vs. FFTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USEP	FFTY
Technology	36.2%	24.8%
Financial Services	11.9%	13.1%
Communication Services	10.9%	3.7%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	4.8%
Healthcare	8.4%	12.1%
Industrials	8.1%	26.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	8.0%
Utilities	2.3%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	21.6%

Return for Risk

USEP vs. FFTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

USEP

USEP Risk / Return Rank: 85
USEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
USEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
USEP Omega Ratio Rank: 89
USEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
USEP Martin Ratio Rank: 88

FFTY

FFTY Risk / Return Rank: 32
FFTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
FFTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
FFTY Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FFTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
FFTY Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

USEP vs. FFTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (USEP) and Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY). 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.

	USEP	FFTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.81	1.16	+1.65
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.15	1.59	+2.56
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.21	+0.36
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.85	1.80	+2.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	19.87	4.77	+15.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USEP vs. FFTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.81, which is higher than the FFTY Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USEP and FFTY, 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

	USEP	FFTY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.81	1.16	+1.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.09	-0.01	+1.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	0.20	+0.81

Drawdowns

USEP vs. FFTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USEP drawdown since its inception was -13.37%, smaller than the maximum FFTY drawdown of -59.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USEP and FFTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	USEP	FFTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.37%	-59.46%	+46.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.03%	-23.29%	+19.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.72%	-29.60%	+19.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.84%	-59.46%	+47.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-59.46%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-15.22%	+15.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.90%	-22.38%	+20.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	8.77%	-7.99%

Volatility

USEP vs. FFTY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (USEP) is 0.64%, while Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY) has a volatility of 9.40%. This indicates that USEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FFTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USEP	FFTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	9.40%	-8.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.00%	26.22%	-22.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.47%	34.12%	-28.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.42%	29.14%	-21.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.06%	27.42%	-19.36%

USEP vs. FFTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

USEP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than FFTY's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

USEP vs. FFTY - Dividend Comparison

USEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FFTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FFTY Innovator IBD 50 ETF	1.12%	1.35%	0.91%	0.65%	2.75%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.17%
USEP Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USEP and FFTY in my portfolio?

USEP and FFTY have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USEP or FFTY?

FFTY has higher volatility (9.40%) compared to USEP (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USEP dropped -13.37% vs FFTY's -59.46%.

Which ETF is better, USEP or FFTY?

On 5-year performance, USEP leads with 8.06% vs -0.31% for FFTY. On fees, USEP is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, USEP has been the lower-risk option at 0.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USEP or FFTY?

Over the 5-year period, USEP has performed better with a 8.06% return vs -0.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USEP or FFTY?

USEP is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FFTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USEP or FFTY?

FFTY has the higher dividend yield at 1.12%, compared with 0.00% for USEP.

What is the main difference between USEP and FFTY?

USEP is categorized as Defined Outcome, while FFTY is Large Cap Growth Equities. USEP tracks S&P 500 Index, while FFTY tracks IBD 50 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for USEP and 0.80% for FFTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 1.16), 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.