ZMAR vs. OCTB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZMAR (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr March) and OCTB (Aptus October Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ZMAR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for OCTB.

Performance

ZMAR vs. OCTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr March (ZMAR) and Aptus October Buffer ETF (OCTB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZMAR achieves a 2.66% return, which is significantly lower than OCTB's 6.18% return.

ZMAR

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 2.66%
• 6M: 3.27%
• 1Y: 7.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

OCTB

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 2.41%
• YTD: 6.18%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZMAR vs. OCTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZMAR Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr March	2.66%	1.55%
OCTB Aptus October Buffer ETF	6.18%	2.37%

Correlation

The correlation between ZMAR and OCTB is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 15, 2025	0.84

Return for Risk

ZMAR vs. OCTB — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZMAR

ZMAR Risk / Return Rank: 94
ZMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ZMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
ZMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ZMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
ZMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

ZMAR vs. OCTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr March (ZMAR) and Aptus October Buffer ETF (OCTB). 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.

	ZMAR	OCTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.61	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.89	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.84	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.32	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	30.39	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ZMAR	OCTB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.29	1.97	+0.31

Drawdowns

ZMAR vs. OCTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZMAR drawdown since its inception was -2.30%, smaller than the maximum OCTB drawdown of -4.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZMAR and OCTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZMAR	OCTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.30%	-4.79%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-0.17%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.23%	-0.70%	+0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.25%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ZMAR	OCTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.37%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.57%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12%	7.20%	-5.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.05%	7.20%	-4.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.05%	7.20%	-4.15%

ZMAR vs. OCTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZMAR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than OCTB's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZMAR vs. OCTB - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZMAR nor OCTB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZMAR and OCTB in my portfolio?

ZMAR and OCTB have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZMAR or OCTB?

On fees, OCTB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZMAR or OCTB?

OCTB is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ZMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZMAR or OCTB?

ZMAR and OCTB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ZMAR and OCTB?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Aptus Capital Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ZMAR and 0.25% for OCTB.