ZDEK vs. APXM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZDEK (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December) and APXM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ZDEK returned 9.03% vs 5.49% for APXM. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZDEK charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for APXM.

Performance

ZDEK vs. APXM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April (APXM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZDEK achieves a 2.56% return, which is significantly higher than APXM's 2.11% return.

ZDEK

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 2.56%
• 6M: 2.82%
• 1Y: 9.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

APXM

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: 2.11%
• 6M: 2.59%
• 1Y: 5.49%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZDEK vs. APXM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZDEK Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December	2.56%	9.52%
APXM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April	2.11%	5.40%

Correlation

The correlation between ZDEK and APXM is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 22, 2025	0.70

The correlation between ZDEK and APXM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZDEK vs. APXM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZDEK

ZDEK Risk / Return Rank: 93
ZDEK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
ZDEK Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
ZDEK Omega Ratio Rank: 95
ZDEK Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ZDEK Martin Ratio Rank: 95

APXM

APXM Risk / Return Rank: 99
APXM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
APXM Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
APXM Omega Ratio Rank: 99
APXM Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
APXM Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

ZDEK vs. APXM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April (APXM). 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.

	ZDEK	APXM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.28	5.47	-2.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.12	10.56	-5.44
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.71	2.60	-0.89
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.02	20.36	-14.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	30.78	110.99	-80.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZDEK vs. APXM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZDEK Sharpe Ratio is 3.28, which is lower than the APXM Sharpe Ratio of 5.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZDEK and APXM, 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

	ZDEK	APXM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.28	5.47	-2.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.02	5.70	-3.68

Drawdowns

ZDEK vs. APXM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZDEK drawdown since its inception was -3.40%, which is greater than APXM's maximum drawdown of -0.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZDEK and APXM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZDEK	APXM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.40%	-0.40%	-3.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.51%	-0.27%	-1.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.06%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.45%	-0.03%	-0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.29%	0.05%	+0.24%

Volatility

ZDEK vs. APXM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK) is 0.36%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April (APXM) has a volatility of 0.42%. This indicates that ZDEK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than APXM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZDEK	APXM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.36%	0.42%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.64%	0.78%	+0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.77%	1.01%	+1.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.31%	1.20%	+2.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.31%	1.20%	+2.11%

ZDEK vs. APXM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZDEK has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than APXM's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZDEK vs. APXM - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZDEK nor APXM has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZDEK and APXM in my portfolio?

ZDEK and APXM have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZDEK or APXM?

APXM has higher volatility (0.42%) compared to ZDEK (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZDEK dropped -3.40% vs APXM's -0.40%.

Which ETF is better, ZDEK or APXM?

On 1-year performance, ZDEK leads with 9.03% vs 5.49% for APXM. On fees, ZDEK is cheaper at 0.79% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZDEK or APXM?

Over the 1-year period, ZDEK has performed better with a 9.03% return vs 5.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZDEK or APXM?

ZDEK is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for APXM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZDEK or APXM?

ZDEK and APXM have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ZDEK and APXM?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ZDEK and 0.85% for APXM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APXM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.47 vs 3.28), 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.