Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) Performance
ZALT total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +6.1% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +7.8% total return
- 3 years
- +10.6% a year
- Since first price
- +10.3% a year since 2023
ZALT trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | ZALT total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −0.3% | −0.3% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +2.1% | +2.1% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +3.8% | +3.8% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +6.1% | +6.1% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +7.8% | +7.8% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +35.3%+10.6%/yr | +35.3% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| Since inceptionOct 2, 2023 | +35.1%+10.3%/yr | +35.1% | — | — | — |
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: ZALT vs SPY
From Oct 2, 2023: ZALT grew to $13,514, SPY to $18,441.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
ZALT returns by calendar year
2 of 2 full years positive. Best 2024 (+11.9%), worst 2025 (+9.4%). 2026 is year to date.
ZALT annual returns table
| Year | ZALT | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +6.1% | −1.7% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +9.4% | −8.2% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +11.9% | −3.3% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
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.
ZALT risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2023 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +10.9% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.9% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.61 |
| Sortino ratio | 3.40 |
| Best month | +3.3% |
| Worst month | −1.4% |
| Best 12 months | +14.7% |
| Worst 12 months | +8.0% |
| Positive months | 86% |
| 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.
ZALT rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 25 | +7.3% | +9.5% | +14.7% | 100% |
| 3-year (a year) | 1 | +10.6% | +10.6% | +10.6% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2023. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
ZALT performance overview
Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) returned +7.8% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2023 it has returned +10.3% a year, turning $10,000 into about $13,514. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
Related: ZALT chart, ZALT holdings, ZALT valuation. See the ZALT overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
ZALT performance FAQ
What is the ZALT return over the past year?
ZALT returned +7.8% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 7.8%.
How much would $10,000 invested in ZALT be worth?
$10,000 invested in ZALT at its first recorded close on October 2, 2023 would be worth about $13,514 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for ZALT?
The worst calendar year was 2025, with a total return of +9.4%. The best was 2024 at +11.9%.
How volatile is ZALT?
Over the past history ZALT had an annualized volatility of 3.9% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.61 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).