ZALT vs. DBO

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

ZALT (Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and DBO (Invesco DB Oil Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ZALT is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while DBO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return. ZALT is actively managed, while DBO is passively managed. Over the past year, ZALT returned 9.73% vs 37.25% for DBO. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. ZALT charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBO.

Performance

ZALT vs. DBO - 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 Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZALT achieves a 3.84% return, which is significantly lower than DBO's 43.93% return.

ZALT

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 3.84%
• 6M: 3.08%
• 1Y: 9.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DBO

• 1D: -4.15%
• 1M: -21.96%
• YTD: 43.93%
• 6M: 41.96%
• 1Y: 37.25%
• 3Y*: 12.72%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: 8.76%

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

ZALT vs. DBO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ZALT Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	3.84%	9.44%	11.92%	3.79%
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	43.93%	-11.71%	7.85%	-17.65%

Correlation

The correlation between ZALT and DBO is -0.10, 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	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2023	-0.03

Return for Risk

ZALT vs. DBO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZALT

ZALT Risk / Return Rank: 89
ZALT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
ZALT Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
ZALT Omega Ratio Rank: 90
ZALT Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
ZALT Martin Ratio Rank: 92

DBO

DBO Risk / Return Rank: 32
DBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
DBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
DBO Omega Ratio Rank: 31
DBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
DBO Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. DBO - 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 Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO). 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	DBO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	1.09	+1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	1.65	+1.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.20	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.72	1.43	+4.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.43	4.33	+16.11

ZALT vs. DBO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZALT Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is higher than the DBO Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZALT and DBO, 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. DBO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZALT drawdown since its inception was -8.19%, smaller than the maximum DBO drawdown of -90.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZALT and DBO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZALT	DBO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.19%	-90.18%	+81.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-26.22%	+24.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-28.20%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-37.68%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-61.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-62.12%	+62.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.47%	-62.22%	+61.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	8.63%	-8.15%

Volatility

ZALT vs. DBO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) is 0.36%, while Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) has a volatility of 10.78%. This indicates that ZALT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DBO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZALT	DBO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.36%	10.78%	-10.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.75%	29.70%	-26.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.10%	34.63%	-30.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.31%	32.59%	-26.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.31%	31.84%	-25.53%

ZALT vs. DBO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZALT has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than DBO's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZALT vs. DBO - Dividend Comparison

ZALT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	2.44%	3.51%	4.68%	4.59%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	1.63%	1.58%
ZALT Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZALT and DBO in my portfolio?

ZALT and DBO have a correlation of -0.10, 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 DBO?

DBO has higher volatility (10.78%) compared to ZALT (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZALT dropped -8.19% vs DBO's -90.18%.

Which ETF is better, ZALT or DBO?

On 1-year performance, DBO leads with 37.25% vs 9.73% for ZALT. On fees, ZALT is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, ZALT has been the lower-risk option at 0.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZALT or DBO?

Over the 1-year period, DBO has performed better with a 37.25% return vs 9.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZALT or DBO?

ZALT is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBO.

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

DBO has the higher dividend yield at 2.44%, compared with 0.00% for ZALT.

What is the main difference between ZALT and DBO?

ZALT is categorized as Options Trading, while DBO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for ZALT and 0.78% for DBO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZALT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.09), 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.