USEP vs. TWOX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USEP (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September) and TWOX (iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. USEP is passively managed, while TWOX is actively managed. Over the past year, USEP returned 14.66% vs 16.55% for TWOX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. USEP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for TWOX.

Performance

USEP vs. TWOX - 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 iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF (TWOX). 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 TWOX's 2.15% return.

USEP

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

TWOX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 2.15%
• 6M: 3.98%
• 1Y: 16.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

USEP vs. TWOX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
USEP Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September	4.73%	11.05%
TWOX iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF	2.15%	13.32%

Correlation

The correlation between USEP and TWOX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2025	0.92

The correlation between USEP and TWOX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

USEP vs. TWOX — 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

TWOX

TWOX Risk / Return Rank: 44
TWOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
TWOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
TWOX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
TWOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
TWOX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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. TWOX - 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 iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF (TWOX). 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	TWOX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	1.59	+1.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	2.19	+1.79
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.33	+0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	1.77	+1.88
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.85	8.38	+10.47
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. TWOX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is higher than the TWOX Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USEP and TWOX, 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	TWOX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.70	1.59	+1.11
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	0.67	+0.33

Drawdowns

USEP vs. TWOX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USEP drawdown since its inception was -13.37%, smaller than the maximum TWOX drawdown of -19.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USEP and TWOX.

Drawdown Indicators

	USEP	TWOX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.37%	-19.35%	+5.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.03%	-9.51%	+5.48%
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%	-2.65%	+0.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	2.01%	-1.23%

Volatility

USEP vs. TWOX - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (USEP) has a higher volatility of 0.62% compared to iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF (TWOX) at 0.53%. This indicates that USEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TWOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USEP	TWOX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.62%	0.53%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.00%	8.26%	-4.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.47%	10.44%	-4.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.41%	16.81%	-9.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.06%	16.81%	-8.75%

USEP vs. TWOX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

USEP vs. TWOX - Dividend Comparison

USEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while TWOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.55%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
TWOX iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF	0.55%	0.57%	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 TWOX in my portfolio?

USEP and TWOX have a correlation of 0.88, 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 TWOX?

USEP has higher volatility (0.62%) compared to TWOX (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USEP dropped -13.37% vs TWOX's -19.35%.

Which ETF is better, USEP or TWOX?

On 1-year performance, TWOX leads with 16.55% vs 14.66% for USEP. On fees, TWOX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USEP or TWOX?

Over the 1-year period, TWOX has performed better with a 16.55% return vs 14.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USEP or TWOX?

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

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

TWOX has the higher dividend yield at 0.55%, compared with 0.00% for USEP.

What is the main difference between USEP and TWOX?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 1.59), 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.