USML vs. QTAP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USML (ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN) and QTAP (Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - April) are both Leveraged Equities funds. USML is passively managed, while QTAP is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, USML returned 8.11%/yr vs 13.78%/yr for QTAP. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USML charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QTAP.

Performance

USML vs. QTAP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN (USML) and Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - April (QTAP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USML achieves a 2.96% return, which is significantly lower than QTAP's 14.67% return.

USML

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 3.76%
• YTD: 2.96%
• 6M: 2.63%
• 1Y: 2.80%
• 3Y*: 16.27%
• 5Y*: 8.11%
• 10Y*: —

QTAP

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 2.89%
• YTD: 14.67%
• 6M: 15.56%
• 1Y: 25.59%
• 3Y*: 21.18%
• 5Y*: 13.78%
• 10Y*: —

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

USML vs. QTAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
USML ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN	2.96%	9.33%	23.97%	11.37%	-22.87%	34.11%
QTAP Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - April	14.67%	19.36%	17.34%	43.32%	-25.87%	15.63%

Correlation

The correlation between USML and QTAP is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2021	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between USML and QTAP has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

USML vs. QTAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

USML

USML Risk / Return Rank: 11
USML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
USML Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
USML Omega Ratio Rank: 10
USML Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
USML Martin Ratio Rank: 12

QTAP

QTAP Risk / Return Rank: 98
QTAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
QTAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
QTAP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
QTAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
QTAP 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.

USML vs. QTAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN (USML) and Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - April (QTAP). 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.

	USML	QTAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.17	4.62	-4.45
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.35	8.50	-8.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	2.23	-1.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.21	15.20	-14.98
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.65	80.04	-79.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USML vs. QTAP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USML Sharpe Ratio is 0.17, which is lower than the QTAP Sharpe Ratio of 4.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USML and QTAP, 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

	USML	QTAP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17	4.62	-4.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.73	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.75	-0.32

Drawdowns

USML vs. QTAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USML drawdown since its inception was -35.34%, which is greater than QTAP's maximum drawdown of -29.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USML and QTAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	USML	QTAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.34%	-29.44%	-5.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.09%	-1.69%	-11.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.14%	-13.03%	-6.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.34%	-29.44%	-5.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.69%	-0.10%	-3.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.41%	-5.04%	-5.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.33%	0.32%	+4.01%

Volatility

USML vs. QTAP - Volatility Comparison

ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN (USML) has a higher volatility of 4.22% compared to Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - April (QTAP) at 1.33%. This indicates that USML's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QTAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USML	QTAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.22%	1.33%	+2.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.44%	3.97%	+7.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.38%	5.56%	+10.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.47%	18.89%	+5.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.29%	18.77%	+5.52%

USML vs. QTAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

USML has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than QTAP's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

USML vs. QTAP - Dividend Comparison

Neither USML nor QTAP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USML and QTAP in my portfolio?

USML and QTAP have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USML or QTAP?

USML has higher volatility (4.22%) compared to QTAP (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USML dropped -35.34% vs QTAP's -29.44%.

Which ETF is better, USML or QTAP?

On 5-year performance, QTAP leads with 13.78% vs 8.11% for USML. On fees, QTAP is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, QTAP has been the lower-risk option at 1.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USML or QTAP?

Over the 5-year period, QTAP has performed better with a 13.78% return vs 8.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USML or QTAP?

QTAP is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for USML.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USML or QTAP?

USML and QTAP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between USML and QTAP?

They also come from different issuers: UBS and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for USML and 0.79% for QTAP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.62 vs 0.17), 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.