Innovator Power Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (PSTP) Performance
PSTP total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +5.8% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +7.1% total return
- 3 years
- +12.3% a year
- Since first price
- +8.6% a year since 2022
PSTP trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | PSTP total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −0.4% | −0.4% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +2.1% | +2.1% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +4.4% | +4.4% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +5.8% | +5.8% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +7.1% | +7.1% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +41.6%+12.3%/yr | +41.6% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| Since inceptionMar 8, 2022 | +46.5%+8.6%/yr | +46.5% | — | — | — |
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: PSTP vs SPY
From Mar 8, 2022: PSTP grew to $14,646, SPY to $19,452.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
PSTP returns by calendar year
3 of 3 full years positive. Best 2023 (+13.6%), worst 2025 (+10.4%). 2026 is year to date.
PSTP annual returns table
| Year | PSTP | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +5.8% | −5.1% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +10.4% | −10.4% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +13.6% | −4.3% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +13.6% | −5.8% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
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.
PSTP largest drawdowns
Now 1.2% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 29, 2022 | −12.5% | Oct 12, 2022 | Jun 13, 2023 | 6 months | 1.2 years |
| Feb 19, 2025 | −10.4% | Apr 8, 2025 | Jun 10, 2025 | 48 days | 4 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
PSTP risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | Since 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +12.0% | +7.8% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.0% | 8.2% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.21 | 0.48 |
| Sortino ratio | 2.28 | 0.71 |
| Best month | +4.7% | +4.7% |
| Worst month | −3.0% | −5.3% |
| Best 12 months | +19.1% | +19.1% |
| Worst 12 months | +6.4% | −2.7% |
| Positive months | 69% | 65% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.47 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.98 | — |
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.
PSTP rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 44 | −2.7% | +10.3% | +19.1% | 98% |
| 3-year (a year) | 20 | +5.6% | +11.3% | +13.8% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2022. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
PSTP performance overview
Innovator Power Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (PSTP) returned +7.1% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2022 it has returned +8.6% a year, turning $10,000 into about $14,646. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −12.5%, from Mar 29, 2022 to Oct 12, 2022, and it took 8 months to get back to the old high. PSTP finished 3 of its 3 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2023 (+13.6%) and the worst 2025 (+10.4%). Volatility has been 8.2% a year.
Related: PSTP chart. See the PSTP overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
PSTP performance FAQ
What is the PSTP return over the past year?
PSTP returned +7.1% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 7.1%.
How much would $10,000 invested in PSTP be worth?
$10,000 invested in PSTP at its first recorded close on March 8, 2022 would be worth about $14,646 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for PSTP?
The worst calendar year was 2025, with a total return of +10.4%. The best was 2023 at +13.6%.
What is the biggest drawdown of PSTP?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −12.5% between March 29, 2022 and October 12, 2022. It recovered to the old high on June 13, 2023, 8 months after the bottom.
How volatile is PSTP?
Over the past 3 years PSTP had an annualized volatility of 6.0% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.21 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).