ZDEK vs. CAOS

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

ZDEK (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZDEK is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ZDEK returned 7.82% vs 1.73% for CAOS. Their -0.30 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. ZDEK charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

ZDEK vs. CAOS - 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 Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZDEK achieves a 3.22% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.76% return.

ZDEK

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 0.55%
• 6M: 2.85%
• YTD: 3.22%
• 1Y: 7.82%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.42%

CAOS

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -0.01%
• 6M: 0.16%
• YTD: 0.76%
• 1Y: 1.73%
• 3Y*: 3.48%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.70%

*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)
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	$6.81M	$5.39M	$5.09M
ZDEK Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December	$110.83K	$191.70K	$210.54K

ZDEK vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ZDEK Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December	3.22%	7.78%	-0.33%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.76%	2.55%	0.41%

Correlation

The correlation between ZDEK and CAOS is -0.30, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2024	-0.30

Return for Risk

ZDEK vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZDEK

ZDEK Risk / Return Rank: 95
ZDEK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ZDEK Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
ZDEK Omega Ratio Rank: 95
ZDEK Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
ZDEK Martin Ratio Rank: 96

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 56
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 54
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

ZDEK vs. CAOS - 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 Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). 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.

	ZDEK	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.76	1.19	+1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.21	1.89	+2.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.24	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.87	2.47	+2.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.85	5.45	+19.40

ZDEK vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZDEK Sharpe Ratio is 2.76, which is higher than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZDEK and CAOS, 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

ZDEK vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZDEK drawdown since its inception was -3.40%, smaller than the maximum CAOS drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZDEK and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZDEK	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.40%	-3.89%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.51%	-0.76%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.13%	+1.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.42%	-0.92%	+0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	0.34%	-0.04%

Volatility

ZDEK vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK) has a higher volatility of 0.65% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.51%. This indicates that ZDEK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CAOS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZDEK	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.65%	0.51%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.76%	1.07%	+0.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67%	1.57%	+1.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.24%	4.18%	-0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.24%	4.18%	-0.94%

ZDEK vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZDEK has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZDEK vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZDEK nor CAOS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZDEK and CAOS in my portfolio?

ZDEK and CAOS have a correlation of -0.30, 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 CAOS?

ZDEK has higher volatility (0.65%) compared to CAOS (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZDEK dropped -3.40% vs CAOS's -3.89%.

Which ETF is better, ZDEK or CAOS?

On 1-year performance, ZDEK leads with 7.82% vs 1.73% for CAOS. On fees, CAOS is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZDEK or CAOS?

Over the 1-year period, ZDEK has performed better with a 7.82% return vs 1.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZDEK or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ZDEK.

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

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

What is the main difference between ZDEK and CAOS?

ZDEK is categorized as Defined Outcome, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ZDEK and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZDEK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 1.19), 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.