ZDEK vs. KAUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZDEK (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December) and KAUG (Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ZDEK returned 9.03% vs 15.76% for KAUG. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

ZDEK vs. KAUG - 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 Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF (KAUG). 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 lower than KAUG's 7.07% return.

ZDEK

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

KAUG

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 7.07%
• 6M: 7.39%
• 1Y: 15.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZDEK vs. KAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ZDEK Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December	2.56%	7.78%	-0.38%
KAUG Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF	7.07%	5.52%	-4.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ZDEK and KAUG is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2024	0.72

The correlation between ZDEK and KAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZDEK vs. KAUG — 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

KAUG

KAUG Risk / Return Rank: 68
KAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
KAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
KAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 62
KAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
KAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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. KAUG - 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 Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF (KAUG). 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	KAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.28	1.98	+1.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.12	2.92	+2.20
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.71	1.38	+0.33
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.02	4.02	+2.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	30.78	14.54	+16.24
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. KAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZDEK Sharpe Ratio is 3.28, which is higher than the KAUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZDEK and KAUG, 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	KAUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.28	1.98	+1.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.02	0.76	+1.26

Drawdowns

ZDEK vs. KAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZDEK drawdown since its inception was -3.40%, smaller than the maximum KAUG drawdown of -15.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZDEK and KAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZDEK	KAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.40%	-15.66%	+12.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.51%	-3.94%	+2.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.10%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.45%	-2.85%	+2.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.29%	1.09%	-0.80%

Volatility

ZDEK vs. KAUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK) is 0.36%, while Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF (KAUG) has a volatility of 0.98%. This indicates that ZDEK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KAUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZDEK	KAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.36%	0.98%	-0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.64%	5.15%	-3.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.77%	8.02%	-5.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.31%	11.21%	-7.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.31%	11.21%	-7.90%

ZDEK vs. KAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ZDEK and KAUG have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

ZDEK vs. KAUG - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZDEK nor KAUG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZDEK and KAUG in my portfolio?

ZDEK and KAUG have a correlation of 0.71, 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 KAUG?

KAUG has higher volatility (0.98%) compared to ZDEK (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZDEK dropped -3.40% vs KAUG's -15.66%.

Which ETF is better, ZDEK or KAUG?

On 1-year performance, KAUG leads with 15.76% vs 9.03% for ZDEK. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, ZDEK 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, ZDEK or KAUG?

Over the 1-year period, KAUG has performed better with a 15.76% return vs 9.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZDEK or KAUG?

ZDEK and KAUG have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

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

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZDEK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.28 vs 1.98), 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.