AOCT vs ZHDG
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to October 2028 vs ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF
Which is better, AOCT or ZHDG?
ZHDG has been ahead.
AOCT has a lower expense ratio. ZHDG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AOCT | ZHDG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $61M | $31M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.42% |
| Holdings | 15 | 28 |
| YTD Return | +4.93% | +6.90%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.19% | +8.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.14% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +6.03% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.5%Best | 11.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -3.7%Best | -11.6% |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $11,185 | $12,388Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Zega ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 2, 2024 | Jul 6, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 1, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2 years).
AOCT vs ZHDG growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2 years both funds cover.
AOCT vs ZHDG Performance
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to October 2028 (AOCT) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF (ZHDG) is an ETF from Zega ETFs. Over the past year AOCT returned +6.19% while ZHDG returned +8.99%. Year to date, AOCT is up 4.93% versus a gain of 6.90% for ZHDG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ZHDG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.0% compared with 2.5% for AOCT. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -3.7% for AOCT and -11.6% for ZHDG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AOCT charges 0.79% per year while ZHDG charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $95 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AOCT currently yields 0.00% against 2.42% for ZHDG.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in AOCT and 2 in ZHDG, totalling 97.9% and 8.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in AOCT and 2 in ZHDG, against full books of 15 and 28.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AOCT and ZHDG you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AOCT or ZHDG?
AOCT has an expense ratio of 0.79% while ZHDG charges 0.95%. AOCT is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AOCT or ZHDG?
Over the past year AOCT returned +6.19% vs +8.99% for ZHDG, so ZHDG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AOCT annualized +5.76% vs +11.30% for ZHDG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AOCT or ZHDG?
ZHDG has been the more volatile fund at 11.0% annualized versus 2.5% for AOCT. Worst drawdown: AOCT -3.7% vs ZHDG -11.6%.
Should I hold both AOCT and ZHDG?
AOCT and ZHDG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AOCT or ZHDG?
AOCT yields 0.00% while ZHDG yields 2.42%, so ZHDG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZHDG better than AOCT?
AOCT has a lower expense ratio. ZHDG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.