USEP vs. PMAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USEP (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September) and PMAU (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August) are both Defined Outcome funds. USEP is passively managed, while PMAU is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. USEP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMAU.

Performance

USEP vs. PMAU - 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 PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August (PMAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USEP achieves a 4.73% return, which is significantly higher than PMAU's 2.95% return.

USEP

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.65%
• YTD: 4.73%
• 6M: 5.26%
• 1Y: 14.66%
• 3Y*: 13.11%
• 5Y*: 8.01%
• 10Y*: —

PMAU

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 2.95%
• 6M: 3.43%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

USEP vs. PMAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
USEP Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September	4.73%	5.85%
PMAU PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August	2.95%	2.98%

Correlation

The correlation between USEP and PMAU 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2025	0.90

Return for Risk

USEP vs. PMAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

USEP

USEP Risk / Return Rank: 84
USEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
USEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
USEP Omega Ratio Rank: 88
USEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
USEP Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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. PMAU - 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 PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August (PMAU). 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	PMAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.85	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	USEP	PMAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.70	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	2.90	-1.89

Drawdowns

USEP vs. PMAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USEP drawdown since its inception was -13.37%, which is greater than PMAU's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USEP and PMAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	USEP	PMAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.37%	-1.79%	-11.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.03%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.72%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.84%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	-0.02%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.89%	-0.17%	-1.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	USEP	PMAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.62%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.00%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.47%	2.51%	+2.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.41%	2.51%	+4.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.06%	2.51%	+5.55%

USEP vs. PMAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

USEP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than PMAU's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

USEP vs. PMAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither USEP nor PMAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PMAU PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USEP and PMAU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, USEP and PMAU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, USEP or PMAU?

On fees, PMAU is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, USEP or PMAU?

PMAU is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for USEP.

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

USEP and PMAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between USEP and PMAU?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for USEP and 0.50% for PMAU.