ZAUG vs. IAPR

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

ZAUG (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August) and IAPR (Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - April) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. ZAUG is actively managed, while IAPR is passively managed. Over the past year, ZAUG returned 6.85% vs 16.09% for IAPR. Their 0.55 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ZAUG charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IAPR.

Performance

ZAUG vs. IAPR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August (ZAUG) and Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - April (IAPR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZAUG achieves a 4.21% return, which is significantly lower than IAPR's 9.90% return.

ZAUG

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 1.00%
• 6M: 3.75%
• YTD: 4.21%
• 1Y: 6.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.34%

IAPR

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 1.74%
• 6M: 8.29%
• YTD: 9.90%
• 1Y: 16.09%
• 3Y*: 10.91%
• 5Y*: 5.58%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.79%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IAPR Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - April	$224.94K	$230.54K	$296.59K
ZAUG Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August	$3.51M	$1.80M	$768.54K

ZAUG vs. IAPR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ZAUG Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August	4.21%	7.38%	3.02%
IAPR Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - April	9.90%	15.51%	-2.99%

Correlation

The correlation between ZAUG and IAPR is 0.66, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2024	0.55

The correlation between ZAUG and IAPR shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (all time) to 0.66 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ZAUG vs. IAPR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ZAUG

ZAUG Risk / Return Rank: 94
ZAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ZAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
ZAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 95
ZAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
ZAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 95

IAPR

IAPR Risk / Return Rank: 92
IAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
IAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
IAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 90
IAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
IAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 96

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ZAUG vs. IAPR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August (ZAUG) and Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - April (IAPR). 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.

	ZAUG	IAPR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.77	2.27	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.40	3.48	+0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.46	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.00	6.30	-2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.92	24.66	-1.74

ZAUG vs. IAPR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.77, which is comparable to the IAPR Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZAUG and IAPR, 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

ZAUG vs. IAPR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZAUG drawdown since its inception was -4.83%, smaller than the maximum IAPR drawdown of -17.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZAUG and IAPR.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZAUG	IAPR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.83%	-17.73%	+12.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.72%	-2.56%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.46%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.39%	-3.77%	+3.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	0.65%	-0.35%

Volatility

ZAUG vs. IAPR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August (ZAUG) is 0.43%, while Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - April (IAPR) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that ZAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAPR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZAUG	IAPR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.43%	2.31%	-1.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.02%	6.32%	-4.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49%	7.13%	-4.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.47%	8.94%	-4.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.47%	8.77%	-4.30%

ZAUG vs. IAPR - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZAUG has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than IAPR's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZAUG vs. IAPR - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZAUG nor IAPR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZAUG and IAPR in my portfolio?

ZAUG and IAPR have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZAUG or IAPR?

IAPR has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to ZAUG (0.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZAUG dropped -4.83% vs IAPR's -17.73%.

Which ETF is better, ZAUG or IAPR?

On 1-year performance, IAPR leads with 16.09% vs 6.85% for ZAUG. On fees, ZAUG is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, ZAUG has been the lower-risk option at 0.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZAUG or IAPR?

Over the 1-year period, IAPR has performed better with a 16.09% return vs 6.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZAUG or IAPR?

ZAUG is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IAPR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZAUG or IAPR?

ZAUG and IAPR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ZAUG and IAPR?

Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ZAUG and 0.85% for IAPR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 2.27), 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.