AAPR vs. PJAN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AAPR (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To April 2026) and PJAN (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January) are both exchange-traded funds - AAPR is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while PJAN is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect January Series Index. AAPR is actively managed, while PJAN is passively managed. Over the past year, AAPR returned 9.83% vs 14.71% for PJAN. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

AAPR vs. PJAN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To April 2026 (AAPR) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January (PJAN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAPR achieves a 3.82% return, which is significantly lower than PJAN's 5.13% return.

AAPR

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 3.82%
• 6M: 4.48%
• 1Y: 9.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PJAN

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 1.94%
• YTD: 5.13%
• 6M: 5.96%
• 1Y: 14.71%
• 3Y*: 12.96%
• 5Y*: 8.92%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAPR vs. PJAN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AAPR Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To April 2026	3.82%	7.79%	6.25%
PJAN Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January	5.13%	11.29%	8.19%

Correlation

The correlation between AAPR and PJAN is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2024	0.79

The correlation between AAPR and PJAN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AAPR vs. PJAN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AAPR

AAPR Risk / Return Rank: 97
AAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
AAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
AAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
AAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
AAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

PJAN

PJAN Risk / Return Rank: 79
PJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
PJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
PJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 87
PJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
PJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 83

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAPR vs. PJAN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To April 2026 (AAPR) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January (PJAN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AAPR	PJAN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.18	2.55	+1.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.21	3.75	+3.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.99	1.54	+0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	12.12	3.19	+8.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	62.99	17.03	+45.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AAPR vs. PJAN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAPR Sharpe Ratio is 4.18, which is higher than the PJAN Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAPR and PJAN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AAPR	PJAN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.18	2.55	+1.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.00	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.73	0.90	+0.84

Drawdowns

AAPR vs. PJAN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAPR drawdown since its inception was -5.99%, smaller than the maximum PJAN drawdown of -21.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAPR and PJAN.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAPR	PJAN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-21.25%	+15.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.81%	-4.63%	+3.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.49%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-11.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-0.26%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.45%	-1.73%	+1.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.16%	0.87%	-0.71%

Volatility

AAPR vs. PJAN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To April 2026 (AAPR) is 0.68%, while Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January (PJAN) has a volatility of 1.07%. This indicates that AAPR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PJAN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAPR	PJAN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.68%	1.07%	-0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.57%	4.71%	-3.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36%	5.81%	-3.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.81%	8.93%	-4.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.81%	10.60%	-5.79%

AAPR vs. PJAN - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AAPR and PJAN have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

AAPR vs. PJAN - Dividend Comparison

Neither AAPR nor PJAN has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAPR and PJAN in my portfolio?

AAPR and PJAN have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAPR or PJAN?

PJAN has higher volatility (1.07%) compared to AAPR (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAPR dropped -5.99% vs PJAN's -21.25%.

Which ETF is better, AAPR or PJAN?

On 1-year performance, PJAN leads with 14.71% vs 9.83% for AAPR. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, AAPR has been the lower-risk option at 0.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AAPR or PJAN?

Over the 1-year period, PJAN has performed better with a 14.71% return vs 9.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAPR or PJAN?

AAPR and PJAN have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAPR or PJAN?

AAPR and PJAN have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between AAPR and PJAN?

AAPR is categorized as Options Trading, while PJAN is Defined Outcome.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.18 vs 2.55), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.