ZMAY vs. EINC

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

ZMAY (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May) and EINC (VanEck Energy Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZMAY is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while EINC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MVIS North America Energy Infrastructure Index. ZMAY is actively managed, while EINC is passively managed. Over the past year, ZMAY returned 5.09% vs 30.66% for EINC. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. ZMAY charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for EINC.

Performance

ZMAY vs. EINC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May (ZMAY) and VanEck Energy Income ETF (EINC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZMAY achieves a 2.36% return, which is significantly lower than EINC's 26.77% return.

ZMAY

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.45%
• 6M: 2.24%
• YTD: 2.36%
• 1Y: 5.09%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EINC

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 28.45%
• YTD: 26.77%
• 1Y: 30.66%
• 3Y*: 28.13%
• 5Y*: 21.31%
• 10Y*: 11.56%

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

ZMAY vs. EINC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZMAY Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May	2.36%	4.22%
EINC VanEck Energy Income ETF	26.77%	5.91%

Correlation

The correlation between ZMAY and EINC is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2025	-0.03

Return for Risk

ZMAY vs. EINC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZMAY

ZMAY Risk / Return Rank: 96
ZMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ZMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
ZMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ZMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
ZMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 97

EINC

EINC Risk / Return Rank: 78
EINC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
EINC Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
EINC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
EINC Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
EINC Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

ZMAY vs. EINC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May (ZMAY) and VanEck Energy Income ETF (EINC). 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.

	ZMAY	EINC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	2.05	+1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.01	2.78	+2.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.36	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.22	3.98	+3.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	36.11	9.80	+26.31

ZMAY vs. EINC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZMAY Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is higher than the EINC Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZMAY and EINC, 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

ZMAY vs. EINC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZMAY drawdown since its inception was -0.70%, smaller than the maximum EINC drawdown of -87.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZMAY and EINC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZMAY	EINC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.70%	-87.55%	+86.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.70%	-7.89%	+7.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.01%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.87%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-68.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-3.89%	+3.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.08%	-44.02%	+43.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.14%	3.20%	-3.06%

Volatility

ZMAY vs. EINC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May (ZMAY) is 0.80%, while VanEck Energy Income ETF (EINC) has a volatility of 6.16%. This indicates that ZMAY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EINC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZMAY	EINC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.80%	6.16%	-5.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.34%	12.26%	-10.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65%	15.33%	-13.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.72%	19.58%	-17.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.72%	25.33%	-23.61%

ZMAY vs. EINC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZMAY has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than EINC's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZMAY vs. EINC - Dividend Comparison

ZMAY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while EINC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.49%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EINC VanEck Energy Income ETF	3.49%	4.51%	3.33%	3.77%	2.89%	6.03%	6.69%	9.66%	11.31%	8.53%	9.71%	28.53%
ZMAY Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZMAY and EINC in my portfolio?

ZMAY and EINC have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZMAY or EINC?

EINC has higher volatility (6.16%) compared to ZMAY (0.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZMAY dropped -0.70% vs EINC's -87.55%.

Which ETF is better, ZMAY or EINC?

On 1-year performance, EINC leads with 30.66% vs 5.09% for ZMAY. On fees, EINC is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, ZMAY has been the lower-risk option at 0.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZMAY or EINC?

Over the 1-year period, EINC has performed better with a 30.66% return vs 5.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZMAY or EINC?

EINC is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ZMAY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZMAY or EINC?

EINC has the higher dividend yield at 3.49%, compared with 0.00% for ZMAY.

What is the main difference between ZMAY and EINC?

ZMAY is categorized as Defined Outcome, while EINC is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ZMAY and 0.45% for EINC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 2.05), 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.