ARLU vs. AJAN

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ARLU (Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF) and AJAN (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ARLU returned 19.57% vs 6.13% for AJAN. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARLU charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for AJAN.

Performance

ARLU vs. AJAN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF (ARLU) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARLU achieves a 6.62% return, which is significantly higher than AJAN's 2.03% return.

ARLU

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 3.91%
• YTD: 6.62%
• 6M: 6.46%
• 1Y: 19.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AJAN

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 2.43%
• 1Y: 6.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ARLU vs. AJAN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ARLU Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF	6.62%	11.27%	9.00%
AJAN Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026	2.03%	6.12%	5.66%

Correlation

The correlation between ARLU and AJAN is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2024	0.75

The correlation between ARLU and AJAN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ARLU vs. AJAN — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARLU

ARLU Risk / Return Rank: 50
ARLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
ARLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
ARLU Omega Ratio Rank: 53
ARLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
ARLU Martin Ratio Rank: 54

AJAN

AJAN Risk / Return Rank: 78
AJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
AJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 91
AJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
AJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

ARLU vs. AJAN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF (ARLU) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN). 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.

	ARLU	AJAN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	2.61	-0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	4.08	-1.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.58	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	2.74	-0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.11	13.81	-4.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARLU vs. AJAN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARLU Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is lower than the AJAN Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARLU and AJAN, 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

	ARLU	AJAN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	2.61	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	1.74	-0.74

Drawdowns

ARLU vs. AJAN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARLU drawdown since its inception was -15.38%, which is greater than AJAN's maximum drawdown of -4.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARLU and AJAN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARLU	AJAN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.38%	-4.11%	-11.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.66%	-2.24%	-7.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-0.09%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.23%	-0.29%	-1.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	0.44%	+1.71%

Volatility

ARLU vs. AJAN - Volatility Comparison

Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF (ARLU) has a higher volatility of 2.56% compared to Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN) at 0.65%. This indicates that ARLU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AJAN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARLU	AJAN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.56%	0.65%	+1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.73%	2.05%	+6.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.12%	2.36%	+8.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.55%	3.80%	+8.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.55%	3.80%	+8.75%

ARLU vs. AJAN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARLU has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than AJAN's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARLU vs. AJAN - Dividend Comparison

Neither ARLU nor AJAN has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARLU and AJAN in my portfolio?

ARLU and AJAN have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARLU or AJAN?

ARLU has higher volatility (2.56%) compared to AJAN (0.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARLU dropped -15.38% vs AJAN's -4.11%.

Which ETF is better, ARLU or AJAN?

On 1-year performance, ARLU leads with 19.57% vs 6.13% for AJAN. On fees, ARLU is cheaper at 0.74% per year. On volatility, AJAN has been the lower-risk option at 0.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARLU or AJAN?

Over the 1-year period, ARLU has performed better with a 19.57% return vs 6.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARLU or AJAN?

ARLU is cheaper with a 0.74% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for AJAN.

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

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

What is the main difference between ARLU and AJAN?

They also come from different issuers: Allianz and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for ARLU and 0.79% for AJAN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AJAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 1.77), 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.