ZSEP vs. DMAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ZSEP (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr September) and DMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. ZSEP is actively managed, while DMAX is passively managed. Over the past year, ZSEP returned 7.80% vs 8.68% for DMAX. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZSEP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for DMAX.

Performance

ZSEP vs. DMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr September (ZSEP) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZSEP achieves a 2.65% return, which is significantly higher than DMAX's 2.42% return.

ZSEP

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 2.65%
• 6M: 3.09%
• 1Y: 7.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DMAX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: 2.42%
• 6M: 3.14%
• 1Y: 8.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZSEP vs. DMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZSEP Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr September	2.65%	6.82%
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	2.42%	7.81%

Correlation

The correlation between ZSEP and DMAX is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.74

The correlation between ZSEP and DMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZSEP vs. DMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZSEP

ZSEP Risk / Return Rank: 92
ZSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
ZSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
ZSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 93
ZSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
ZSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 94

DMAX

DMAX Risk / Return Rank: 95
DMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DMAX 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.

ZSEP vs. DMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr September (ZSEP) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX). 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.

	ZSEP	DMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.16	3.74	-0.58
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.85	5.80	-0.95
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.81	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.45	6.15	-0.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	27.97	31.49	-3.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZSEP vs. DMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZSEP Sharpe Ratio is 3.16, which is comparable to the DMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZSEP and DMAX, 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

	ZSEP	DMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.16	3.74	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.03	2.16	-0.13

Drawdowns

ZSEP vs. DMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZSEP drawdown since its inception was -3.97%, which is greater than DMAX's maximum drawdown of -3.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZSEP and DMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZSEP	DMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.97%	-3.37%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.45%	-1.41%	-0.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	0.00%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.36%	-0.38%	+0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	0.28%	0.00%

Volatility

ZSEP vs. DMAX - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr September (ZSEP) has a higher volatility of 0.43% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX) at 0.33%. This indicates that ZSEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZSEP	DMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.43%	0.33%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.86%	1.54%	+0.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48%	2.33%	+0.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.30%	3.40%	-0.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.30%	3.40%	-0.10%

ZSEP vs. DMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZSEP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than DMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZSEP vs. DMAX - Dividend Comparison

ZSEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%.

Position	TTM	2025
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	1.15%	1.18%
ZSEP Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr September	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZSEP and DMAX in my portfolio?

ZSEP and DMAX have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZSEP or DMAX?

ZSEP has higher volatility (0.43%) compared to DMAX (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZSEP dropped -3.97% vs DMAX's -3.37%.

Which ETF is better, ZSEP or DMAX?

On 1-year performance, DMAX leads with 8.68% vs 7.80% for ZSEP. On fees, DMAX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, DMAX 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, ZSEP or DMAX?

Over the 1-year period, DMAX has performed better with a 8.68% return vs 7.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZSEP or DMAX?

DMAX is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ZSEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZSEP or DMAX?

DMAX has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.00% for ZSEP.

What is the main difference between ZSEP and DMAX?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ZSEP and 0.50% for DMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.74 vs 3.16), 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.