ZMAY vs. IBIC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZMAY (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May) and IBIC (iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZMAY is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while IBIC is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. ZMAY is actively managed, while IBIC is passively managed. Over the past year, ZMAY returned 5.95% vs 4.54% for IBIC. At a correlation of -0.20, they often move in opposite directions. ZMAY charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IBIC.

Performance

ZMAY vs. IBIC - 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 iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZMAY achieves a 2.20% return, which is significantly lower than IBIC's 2.37% return.

ZMAY

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: 2.20%
• 6M: 2.77%
• 1Y: 5.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBIC

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 2.37%
• 6M: 2.51%
• 1Y: 4.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZMAY vs. IBIC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZMAY Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May	2.20%	4.67%
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	2.37%	1.92%

Correlation

The correlation between ZMAY and IBIC is -0.18, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2025	-0.20

Return for Risk

ZMAY vs. IBIC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZMAY

ZMAY Risk / Return Rank: 97
ZMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
ZMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
ZMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 97
ZMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ZMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 98

IBIC

IBIC Risk / Return Rank: 98
IBIC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
IBIC Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Omega Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. IBIC - 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 iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). 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.

	ZMAY	IBIC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.12	5.05	-0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.35	9.12	-1.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.96	2.24	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	15.29	17.27	-1.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	70.95	67.45	+3.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZMAY vs. IBIC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZMAY Sharpe Ratio is 4.12, which is comparable to the IBIC Sharpe Ratio of 5.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZMAY and IBIC, 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

	ZMAY	IBIC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.12	5.05	-0.92
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	4.24	3.49	+0.75

Drawdowns

ZMAY vs. IBIC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZMAY drawdown since its inception was -0.39%, smaller than the maximum IBIC drawdown of -0.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZMAY and IBIC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZMAY	IBIC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.39%	-0.90%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.39%	-0.26%	-0.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-0.13%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.05%	-0.10%	+0.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.08%	0.07%	+0.01%

Volatility

ZMAY vs. IBIC - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May (ZMAY) has a higher volatility of 0.53% compared to iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC) at 0.33%. This indicates that ZMAY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBIC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZMAY	IBIC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.53%	0.33%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.06%	0.67%	+0.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45%	0.90%	+0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.52%	1.58%	-0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.52%	1.58%	-0.06%

ZMAY vs. IBIC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZMAY has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIC's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZMAY vs. IBIC - Dividend Comparison

ZMAY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IBIC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.59%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	3.59%	4.43%	4.65%	0.83%
ZMAY Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZMAY and IBIC in my portfolio?

ZMAY and IBIC have a correlation of -0.18, 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 IBIC?

ZMAY has higher volatility (0.53%) compared to IBIC (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZMAY dropped -0.39% vs IBIC's -0.90%.

Which ETF is better, ZMAY or IBIC?

On 1-year performance, ZMAY leads with 5.95% vs 4.54% for IBIC. On fees, IBIC is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, IBIC has been the lower-risk option at 0.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZMAY or IBIC?

Over the 1-year period, ZMAY has performed better with a 5.95% return vs 4.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZMAY or IBIC?

IBIC is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ZMAY.

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

IBIC has the higher dividend yield at 3.59%, compared with 0.00% for ZMAY.

What is the main difference between ZMAY and IBIC?

ZMAY is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IBIC is Inflation-Protected Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ZMAY and 0.10% for IBIC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.05 vs 4.12), 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.