ZALT vs. QQQY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ZALT (Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZALT is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while QQQY is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ZALT returned 10.08% vs 34.16% for QQQY. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZALT charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for QQQY.

Performance

ZALT vs. QQQY - 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 Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY). 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 lower than QQQY's 18.49% return.

ZALT

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

QQQY

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 2.69%
• YTD: 18.49%
• 6M: 17.73%
• 1Y: 34.16%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZALT vs. QQQY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ZALT Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	3.78%	9.44%	11.92%	3.79%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	18.49%	14.96%	7.70%	9.81%

Correlation

The correlation between ZALT and QQQY is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2023	0.72

The correlation between ZALT and QQQY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZALT vs. QQQY — 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

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 68
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. QQQY - 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 Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY). 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	QQQY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.23	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	2.82	+0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.42	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.92	3.08	+2.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.16	12.56	+8.60

ZALT vs. QQQY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZALT Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the QQQY Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZALT and QQQY, 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. QQQY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZALT drawdown since its inception was -8.19%, smaller than the maximum QQQY drawdown of -19.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZALT and QQQY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZALT	QQQY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.19%	-19.05%	+10.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-11.14%	+9.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.84%	+0.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.47%	-2.91%	+2.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	2.73%	-2.25%

Volatility

ZALT vs. QQQY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) is 0.36%, while Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) has a volatility of 7.79%. This indicates that ZALT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZALT	QQQY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.36%	7.79%	-7.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.82%	13.24%	-10.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.11%	15.45%	-11.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.32%	15.27%	-8.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.32%	15.27%	-8.95%

ZALT vs. QQQY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZALT has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQY's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZALT vs. QQQY - Dividend Comparison

ZALT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 34.45%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	34.45%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%
ZALT Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZALT and QQQY in my portfolio?

ZALT and QQQY have a correlation of 0.68, 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 QQQY?

QQQY has higher volatility (7.79%) compared to ZALT (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZALT dropped -8.19% vs QQQY's -19.05%.

Which ETF is better, ZALT or QQQY?

On 1-year performance, QQQY leads with 34.16% vs 10.08% 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 QQQY?

Over the 1-year period, QQQY has performed better with a 34.16% return vs 10.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZALT or QQQY?

ZALT is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for QQQY.

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

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 34.45%, compared with 0.00% for ZALT.

What is the main difference between ZALT and QQQY?

ZALT is categorized as Options Trading, while QQQY is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for ZALT and 0.99% for QQQY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZALT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 2.23), 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.