ZOCT vs. PMAP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZOCT (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr October) and PMAP (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ZOCT returned 7.26% vs 7.34% for PMAP. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZOCT charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMAP.

Performance

ZOCT vs. PMAP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr October (ZOCT) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April (PMAP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZOCT achieves a 2.64% return, which is significantly lower than PMAP's 3.28% return.

ZOCT

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 2.64%
• 6M: 2.94%
• 1Y: 7.26%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PMAP

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 3.28%
• 6M: 3.83%
• 1Y: 7.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZOCT vs. PMAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZOCT Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr October	2.64%	6.62%
PMAP PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April	3.28%	5.37%

Correlation

The correlation between ZOCT and PMAP is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2025	0.80

The correlation between ZOCT and PMAP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZOCT vs. PMAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZOCT

ZOCT Risk / Return Rank: 92
ZOCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
ZOCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
ZOCT Omega Ratio Rank: 95
ZOCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
ZOCT Martin Ratio Rank: 93

PMAP

PMAP Risk / Return Rank: 99
PMAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
PMAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PMAP Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PMAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PMAP Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

ZOCT vs. PMAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr October (ZOCT) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April (PMAP). 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.

	ZOCT	PMAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.29	6.43	-3.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.33	13.39	-8.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	2.92	-1.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.99	21.40	-16.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.15	133.92	-109.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZOCT vs. PMAP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZOCT Sharpe Ratio is 3.29, which is lower than the PMAP Sharpe Ratio of 6.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZOCT and PMAP, 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

	ZOCT	PMAP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.29	6.43	-3.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.91	3.23	-1.33

Drawdowns

ZOCT vs. PMAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZOCT drawdown since its inception was -3.18%, which is greater than PMAP's maximum drawdown of -1.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZOCT and PMAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZOCT	PMAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.18%	-1.75%	-1.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.46%	-0.34%	-1.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.06%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.34%	-0.08%	-0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	0.05%	+0.25%

Volatility

ZOCT vs. PMAP - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr October (ZOCT) has a higher volatility of 0.30% compared to PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April (PMAP) at 0.27%. This indicates that ZOCT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PMAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZOCT	PMAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.30%	0.27%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.69%	0.81%	+0.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22%	1.15%	+1.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.04%	2.33%	+0.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.04%	2.33%	+0.71%

ZOCT vs. PMAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZOCT has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than PMAP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZOCT vs. PMAP - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZOCT nor PMAP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZOCT and PMAP in my portfolio?

ZOCT and PMAP have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZOCT or PMAP?

ZOCT has higher volatility (0.30%) compared to PMAP (0.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZOCT dropped -3.18% vs PMAP's -1.75%.

Which ETF is better, ZOCT or PMAP?

On 1-year performance, PMAP leads with 7.34% vs 7.26% for ZOCT. On fees, PMAP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZOCT or PMAP?

Over the 1-year period, PMAP has performed better with a 7.34% return vs 7.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZOCT or PMAP?

PMAP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ZOCT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZOCT or PMAP?

ZOCT and PMAP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ZOCT and PMAP?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ZOCT and 0.50% for PMAP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PMAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.43 vs 3.29), 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.