Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF… (KSEP) Performance
KSEP total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +9.3% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +10.3% total return
- Since first price
- +22.3% since 2024
KSEP trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | KSEP total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −1.0% | −1.0% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −1.2% | −1.2% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +2.8% | +2.8% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +9.3% | +9.3% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +10.3% | +10.3% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionSep 3, 2024 | +22.3% | +22.3% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: KSEP vs SPY
From Sep 3, 2024: KSEP grew to $12,231, SPY to $14,126.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
KSEP returns by calendar year
1 of 1 full years positive. Best 2025 (+8.5%), worst 2025 (+8.5%). 2026 is year to date.
KSEP annual returns table
| Year | KSEP | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +9.3% | −4.8% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +8.5% | −13.8% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
KSEP largest drawdowns
Now 3.1% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 25, 2024 | −14.9% | Apr 8, 2025 | Aug 22, 2025 | 4 months | 9 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
KSEP risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2024 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +9.5% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.8% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.63 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.05 |
| Best month | +5.7% |
| Worst month | −3.6% |
| Best 12 months | +22.6% |
| Worst 12 months | +4.5% |
| Positive months | 71% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
KSEP rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 14 | +4.5% | +12.4% | +22.6% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2024. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
KSEP performance overview
Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF… (KSEP) returned +10.3% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Sep 3, 2024 it has returned +22.3%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −14.9%, from Nov 25, 2024 to Apr 8, 2025, and it took 4 months to get back to the old high. Volatility has been 8.8% a year.
Related: KSEP chart. See the KSEP overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
KSEP performance FAQ
What is the KSEP return over the past year?
KSEP returned +10.3% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 10.3%.
How much would $10,000 invested in KSEP be worth?
$10,000 invested in KSEP at its first recorded close on September 3, 2024 would be worth about $12,231 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What is the biggest drawdown of KSEP?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −14.9% between November 25, 2024 and April 8, 2025. It recovered to the old high on August 22, 2025, 4 months after the bottom.
How volatile is KSEP?
Over the past history KSEP had an annualized volatility of 8.8% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.63 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).