APRJ vs. HEQT

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

APRJ (Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April) and HEQT (Simplify Hedged Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - APRJ is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while HEQT is a Equity Hedged fund actively managed by Simplify. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, APRJ returned 6.21%/yr vs 12.95%/yr for HEQT. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. APRJ charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for HEQT.

Performance

APRJ vs. HEQT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April (APRJ) and Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (HEQT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APRJ achieves a 3.32% return, which is significantly lower than HEQT's 4.02% return.

APRJ

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 3.32%
• 6M: 3.49%
• 1Y: 6.94%
• 3Y*: 6.21%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HEQT

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 4.02%
• 6M: 3.76%
• 1Y: 13.00%
• 3Y*: 12.95%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

APRJ vs. HEQT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
APRJ Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April	3.32%	5.71%	6.24%	5.47%
HEQT Simplify Hedged Equity ETF	4.02%	10.08%	18.30%	10.99%

Correlation

The correlation between APRJ and HEQT is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2023	0.50

The correlation between APRJ and HEQT shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.50 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

APRJ vs. HEQT — Risk / Return Rank

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

APRJ

APRJ Risk / Return Rank: 98
APRJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
APRJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
APRJ Omega Ratio Rank: 98
APRJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
APRJ Martin Ratio Rank: 99

HEQT

HEQT Risk / Return Rank: 63
HEQT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
HEQT Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
HEQT Omega Ratio Rank: 70
HEQT Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
HEQT Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

APRJ vs. HEQT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April (APRJ) and Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (HEQT). 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.

	APRJ	HEQT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.50	1.97	+2.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	8.53	2.77	+5.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.17	1.40	+0.78
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	17.52	2.56	+14.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	89.55	11.59	+77.96

APRJ vs. HEQT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APRJ Sharpe Ratio is 4.50, which is higher than the HEQT Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APRJ and HEQT, 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

APRJ vs. HEQT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APRJ drawdown since its inception was -4.68%, smaller than the maximum HEQT drawdown of -11.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APRJ and HEQT.

Drawdown Indicators

	APRJ	HEQT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.68%	-11.51%	+6.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.40%	-5.09%	+4.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.68%	-10.57%	+5.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-1.12%	+1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.12%	-2.77%	+2.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.08%	1.12%	-1.04%

Volatility

APRJ vs. HEQT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April (APRJ) is 0.74%, while Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (HEQT) has a volatility of 2.06%. This indicates that APRJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HEQT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APRJ	HEQT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.74%	2.06%	-1.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.27%	5.49%	-4.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55%	6.64%	-5.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.62%	8.47%	-4.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.62%	8.47%	-4.85%

APRJ vs. HEQT - Expense Ratio Comparison

APRJ has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than HEQT's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

APRJ vs. HEQT - Dividend Comparison

APRJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.26%, more than HEQT's 1.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
APRJ Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April	5.26%	5.46%	5.88%	4.88%	0.00%	0.00%
HEQT Simplify Hedged Equity ETF	1.20%	1.19%	1.29%	4.10%	3.94%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APRJ and HEQT in my portfolio?

APRJ and HEQT have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, APRJ or HEQT?

HEQT has higher volatility (2.06%) compared to APRJ (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APRJ dropped -4.68% vs HEQT's -11.51%.

Which ETF is better, APRJ or HEQT?

On 3-year performance, HEQT leads with 12.95% vs 6.21% for APRJ. On fees, HEQT is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, APRJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, APRJ or HEQT?

Over the 3-year period, HEQT has performed better with a 12.95% return vs 6.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, APRJ or HEQT?

HEQT is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for APRJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, APRJ or HEQT?

APRJ has the higher dividend yield at 5.26%, compared with 1.20% for HEQT.

What is the main difference between APRJ and HEQT?

APRJ is categorized as Options Trading, while HEQT is Equity Hedged. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for APRJ and 0.43% for HEQT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APRJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.50 vs 1.97), 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.