AJAN vs. XMAR

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

AJAN (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026) and XMAR (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, AJAN returned 4.79% vs 11.66% for XMAR. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AJAN charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for XMAR.

Performance

AJAN vs. XMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AJAN achieves a 2.04% return, which is significantly lower than XMAR's 7.34% return.

AJAN

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.47%
• 6M: 1.66%
• YTD: 2.04%
• 1Y: 4.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XMAR

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.42%
• 6M: 7.08%
• YTD: 7.34%
• 1Y: 11.66%
• 3Y*: 10.68%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AJAN vs. XMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AJAN Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026	2.04%	6.12%	7.61%
XMAR FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March	7.34%	10.30%	10.10%

Correlation

The correlation between AJAN and XMAR is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2024	0.71

The correlation between AJAN and XMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AJAN vs. XMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

AJAN

AJAN Risk / Return Rank: 75
AJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
AJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 87
AJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
AJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 74

XMAR

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

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.

AJAN vs. XMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AJAN	XMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	3.85	-1.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	6.49	-3.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	2.02	-0.60
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	7.92	-5.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.42	53.63	-43.21

AJAN vs. XMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AJAN Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is lower than the XMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AJAN and XMAR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AJAN vs. XMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AJAN drawdown since its inception was -4.11%, smaller than the maximum XMAR drawdown of -7.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AJAN and XMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	AJAN	XMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-7.29%	+3.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.24%	-1.48%	-0.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-7.29%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.09%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.29%	-0.30%	+0.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.46%	0.22%	+0.24%

Volatility

AJAN vs. XMAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN) is 0.78%, while FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR) has a volatility of 0.83%. This indicates that AJAN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AJAN	XMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.78%	0.83%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.31%	2.66%	-0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48%	3.04%	-0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.78%	5.49%	-1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.78%	5.49%	-1.71%

AJAN vs. XMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

AJAN has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than XMAR's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

AJAN vs. XMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither AJAN nor XMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AJAN and XMAR in my portfolio?

AJAN and XMAR have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AJAN or XMAR?

XMAR has higher volatility (0.83%) compared to AJAN (0.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AJAN dropped -4.11% vs XMAR's -7.29%.

Which ETF is better, AJAN or XMAR?

On 1-year performance, XMAR leads with 11.66% vs 4.79% for AJAN. On fees, AJAN is cheaper at 0.79% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AJAN or XMAR?

Over the 1-year period, XMAR has performed better with a 11.66% return vs 4.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AJAN or XMAR?

AJAN is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for XMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AJAN or XMAR?

AJAN and XMAR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between AJAN and XMAR?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for AJAN and 0.85% for XMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.85 vs 1.95), 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.