ZNOV vs. OCTB

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ZNOV (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November) and OCTB (Aptus October Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ZNOV charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for OCTB.

Performance

ZNOV vs. OCTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November (ZNOV) 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, ZNOV achieves a 3.73% return, which is significantly lower than OCTB's 7.75% return.

ZNOV

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.74%
• 6M: 3.21%
• YTD: 3.73%
• 1Y: 6.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.23%

OCTB

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 1.30%
• 6M: 6.50%
• YTD: 7.75%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

*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)
OCTB Aptus October Buffer ETF	$69.66K	$87.45K	$69.55K
ZNOV Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November	$186.06K	$338.23K	$667.72K

ZNOV vs. OCTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZNOV Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November	3.73%	0.91%
OCTB Aptus October Buffer ETF	7.75%	2.37%

Correlation

The correlation between ZNOV and OCTB is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2025	0.82

Return for Risk

ZNOV vs. OCTB — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZNOV

ZNOV Risk / Return Rank: 93
ZNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
ZNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
ZNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 94
ZNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
ZNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 94

OCTB

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

ZNOV vs. OCTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr November (ZNOV) 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.

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.

	ZNOV	OCTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.58	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.06	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.09	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.94	—	—

Drawdowns

ZNOV vs. OCTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZNOV drawdown since its inception was -3.31%, smaller than the maximum OCTB drawdown of -4.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZNOV and OCTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZNOV	OCTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.31%	-4.79%	+1.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.64%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.35%	-0.65%	+0.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.35%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ZNOV	OCTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.66%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.99%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.60%	7.15%	-4.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.29%	7.15%	-3.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.29%	7.15%	-3.86%

ZNOV vs. OCTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

ZNOV vs. OCTB - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZNOV nor OCTB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZNOV and OCTB in my portfolio?

ZNOV and OCTB have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZNOV 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, ZNOV or OCTB?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between ZNOV and OCTB?

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