ZALT vs. CSHP

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ZALT (Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and CSHP (iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZALT is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while CSHP is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ZALT returned 10.08% vs 3.96% for CSHP. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ZALT charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for CSHP.

Performance

ZALT vs. CSHP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) and iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF (CSHP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZALT achieves a 3.78% return, which is significantly higher than CSHP's 1.86% return.

ZALT

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 3.78%
• 6M: 3.49%
• 1Y: 10.08%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CSHP

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.86%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 3.96%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZALT vs. CSHP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ZALT Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	3.78%	9.44%	4.09%
CSHP iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF	1.86%	4.10%	2.24%

Correlation

The correlation between ZALT and CSHP is -0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2024	0.03

Return for Risk

ZALT vs. CSHP — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZALT

ZALT Risk / Return Rank: 87
ZALT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
ZALT Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
ZALT Omega Ratio Rank: 88
ZALT Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ZALT Martin Ratio Rank: 91

CSHP

CSHP Risk / Return Rank: 99
CSHP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
CSHP Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
CSHP Omega Ratio Rank: 99
CSHP Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
CSHP Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

ZALT vs. CSHP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) and iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF (CSHP). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ZALT	CSHP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	11.22	-8.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	28.31	-24.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	6.67	-5.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.92	65.84	-59.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.16	395.75	-374.59

ZALT vs. CSHP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZALT Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is lower than the CSHP Sharpe Ratio of 11.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZALT and CSHP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ZALT vs. CSHP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZALT drawdown since its inception was -8.19%, which is greater than CSHP's maximum drawdown of -0.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZALT and CSHP.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZALT	CSHP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.19%	-0.08%	-8.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-0.06%	-1.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.01%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.47%	-0.00%	-0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	0.01%	+0.47%

Volatility

ZALT vs. CSHP - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) has a higher volatility of 0.36% compared to iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF (CSHP) at 0.15%. This indicates that ZALT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CSHP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZALT	CSHP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.36%	0.15%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.82%	0.27%	+2.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.11%	0.36%	+3.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.32%	0.41%	+5.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.32%	0.41%	+5.91%

ZALT vs. CSHP - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZALT has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than CSHP's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZALT vs. CSHP - Dividend Comparison

ZALT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while CSHP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.91%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CSHP iShares Enhanced Short-Term Bond Active ETF	3.91%	5.39%	1.96%
ZALT Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZALT and CSHP in my portfolio?

ZALT and CSHP have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZALT or CSHP?

ZALT has higher volatility (0.36%) compared to CSHP (0.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZALT dropped -8.19% vs CSHP's -0.08%.

Which ETF is better, ZALT or CSHP?

On 1-year performance, ZALT leads with 10.08% vs 3.96% for CSHP. On fees, CSHP is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, CSHP has been the lower-risk option at 0.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZALT or CSHP?

Over the 1-year period, ZALT has performed better with a 10.08% return vs 3.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZALT or CSHP?

CSHP is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for ZALT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZALT or CSHP?

CSHP has the higher dividend yield at 3.91%, compared with 0.00% for ZALT.

What is the main difference between ZALT and CSHP?

ZALT is categorized as Options Trading, while CSHP is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for ZALT and 0.20% for CSHP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CSHP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.22 vs 2.47), 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.