Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1… (ZAUG) Performance
ZAUG total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +4.7% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +5.5% total return
- Since first price
- +16.5% since 2024
ZAUG trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | ZAUG 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 | +1.2% | +1.2% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +3.0% | +3.0% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +4.7% | +4.7% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +5.5% | +5.5% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionAug 1, 2024 | +16.5% | +16.5% | — | — | — |
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: ZAUG vs SPY
From Aug 1, 2024: ZAUG grew to $11,647, SPY to $14,362.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
ZAUG returns by calendar year
1 of 1 full years positive. Best 2025 (+7.4%), worst 2025 (+7.4%). 2026 is year to date.
ZAUG annual returns table
| Year | ZAUG | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +4.7% | −1.7% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +7.4% | −4.8% | +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.
ZAUG risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2024 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +6.6% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.1% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.80 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.39 |
| Best month | +2.5% |
| Worst month | −1.6% |
| Best 12 months | +10.2% |
| Worst 12 months | +5.4% |
| Positive months | 80% |
| 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.
ZAUG rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 15 | +5.4% | +7.2% | +10.2% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2024. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
ZAUG performance overview
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1… (ZAUG) returned +5.5% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Aug 1, 2024 it has returned +16.5%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
Related: ZAUG chart. See the ZAUG overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
ZAUG performance FAQ
What is the ZAUG return over the past year?
ZAUG returned +5.5% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 5.5%.
How much would $10,000 invested in ZAUG be worth?
$10,000 invested in ZAUG at its first recorded close on August 1, 2024 would be worth about $11,647 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
How volatile is ZAUG?
Over the past history ZAUG had an annualized volatility of 3.1% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.80 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).