ZSEP vs. FMAR

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ZSEP (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr September) and FMAR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ZSEP returned 7.54% vs 18.64% for FMAR. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZSEP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FMAR.

Performance

ZSEP vs. FMAR - 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 FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZSEP achieves a 2.58% return, which is significantly lower than FMAR's 9.21% return.

ZSEP

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 2.58%
• 6M: 3.04%
• 1Y: 7.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FMAR

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 9.21%
• 6M: 10.03%
• 1Y: 18.64%
• 3Y*: 14.22%
• 5Y*: 10.60%
• 10Y*: —

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

ZSEP vs. FMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ZSEP Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr September	2.58%	6.78%	2.12%
FMAR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March	9.21%	9.69%	5.28%

Correlation

The correlation between ZSEP and FMAR is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2024	0.76

The correlation between ZSEP and FMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZSEP vs. FMAR — 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

FMAR

FMAR Risk / Return Rank: 96
FMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
FMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
FMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FMAR 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.

ZSEP vs. FMAR - 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 FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR). 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	FMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	3.65	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.69	5.76	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.90	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.23	7.93	-2.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.77	53.91	-27.13
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. FMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZSEP Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is comparable to the FMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZSEP and FMAR, 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	FMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.05	3.65	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.02	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.02	1.09	+0.93

Drawdowns

ZSEP vs. FMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZSEP drawdown since its inception was -3.97%, smaller than the maximum FMAR drawdown of -14.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZSEP and FMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZSEP	FMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.97%	-14.36%	+10.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.45%	-2.36%	+0.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.37%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.95%	+0.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.36%	-2.13%	+1.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	0.35%	-0.07%

Volatility

ZSEP vs. FMAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr September (ZSEP) is 0.40%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR) has a volatility of 1.27%. This indicates that ZSEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZSEP	FMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.40%	1.27%	-0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.85%	4.06%	-2.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48%	5.16%	-2.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.30%	10.45%	-7.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.30%	10.35%	-7.05%

ZSEP vs. FMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZSEP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than FMAR's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZSEP vs. FMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZSEP nor FMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZSEP and FMAR in my portfolio?

ZSEP and FMAR have a correlation of 0.68, 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 FMAR?

FMAR has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to ZSEP (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZSEP dropped -3.97% vs FMAR's -14.36%.

Which ETF is better, ZSEP or FMAR?

On 1-year performance, FMAR leads with 18.64% vs 7.54% for ZSEP. On fees, ZSEP is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, ZSEP has been the lower-risk option at 0.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZSEP or FMAR?

Over the 1-year period, FMAR has performed better with a 18.64% return vs 7.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZSEP or FMAR?

ZSEP is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FMAR.

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

ZSEP and FMAR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ZSEP and FMAR?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ZSEP and 0.85% for FMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.65 vs 3.05), 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.