USEP vs. XBAP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USEP (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September) and XBAP (Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - April) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. USEP is passively managed, while XBAP is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, USEP returned 8.01%/yr vs 9.79%/yr for XBAP. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

USEP vs. XBAP - 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 U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - April (XBAP). 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 lower than XBAP's 8.03% return.

USEP

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

XBAP

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.69%
• YTD: 8.03%
• 6M: 9.02%
• 1Y: 15.64%
• 3Y*: 13.76%
• 5Y*: 9.79%
• 10Y*: —

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

USEP vs. XBAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
USEP Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September	4.73%	11.75%	12.39%	18.62%	-7.98%	3.71%
XBAP Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - April	8.03%	13.38%	11.55%	20.53%	-7.59%	7.48%

Correlation

The correlation between USEP and XBAP is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2021	0.84

The correlation between USEP and XBAP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

USEP vs. XBAP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USEP	XBAP
Technology	36.2%	35.7%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.6%
Communication Services	10.9%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.5%
Industrials	8.1%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

USEP vs. XBAP — 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

XBAP

XBAP Risk / Return Rank: 98
XBAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
XBAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
XBAP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
XBAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
XBAP Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. XBAP - 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 U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - April (XBAP). 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	XBAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	4.53	-1.83
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	8.79	-4.81
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	2.20	-0.65
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	16.10	-12.45
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.85	82.15	-63.30
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. XBAP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is lower than the XBAP Sharpe Ratio of 4.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USEP and XBAP, 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	XBAP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.70	4.53	-1.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.09	0.99	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	1.02	-0.01

Drawdowns

USEP vs. XBAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USEP drawdown since its inception was -13.37%, smaller than the maximum XBAP drawdown of -14.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USEP and XBAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	USEP	XBAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.37%	-14.57%	+1.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.03%	-0.98%	-3.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.72%	-8.25%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.84%	-14.57%	+2.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	-0.19%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.89%	-1.74%	-0.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	0.19%	+0.59%

Volatility

USEP vs. XBAP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (USEP) is 0.62%, while Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - April (XBAP) has a volatility of 0.68%. This indicates that USEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XBAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USEP	XBAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.62%	0.68%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.00%	2.53%	+1.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.47%	3.47%	+2.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.41%	9.96%	-2.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.06%	9.87%	-1.81%

USEP vs. XBAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both USEP and XBAP have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

USEP vs. XBAP - Dividend Comparison

Neither USEP nor XBAP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
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%
XBAP Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - April	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USEP and XBAP in my portfolio?

USEP and XBAP have a correlation of 0.78, 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 XBAP?

XBAP has higher volatility (0.68%) compared to USEP (0.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USEP dropped -13.37% vs XBAP's -14.57%.

Which ETF is better, USEP or XBAP?

On 5-year performance, XBAP leads with 9.79% vs 8.01% for USEP. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. 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 XBAP?

Over the 5-year period, XBAP has performed better with a 9.79% return vs 8.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USEP or XBAP?

USEP and XBAP have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

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

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XBAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.53 vs 2.70), 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.