BAUG vs. ZJAN

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

BAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August) and ZJAN (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr January) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. BAUG is passively managed, while ZJAN is actively managed. Over the past year, BAUG returned 19.42% vs 7.05% for ZJAN. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

BAUG vs. ZJAN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (BAUG) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr January (ZJAN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BAUG achieves a 6.20% return, which is significantly higher than ZJAN's 2.12% return.

BAUG

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 6.20%
• 6M: 6.80%
• 1Y: 19.42%
• 3Y*: 17.14%
• 5Y*: 11.04%
• 10Y*: —

ZJAN

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 2.12%
• 6M: 2.59%
• 1Y: 7.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BAUG vs. ZJAN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	6.20%	14.81%
ZJAN Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr January	2.12%	6.21%

Correlation

The correlation between BAUG and ZJAN is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2025	0.88

The correlation between BAUG and ZJAN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BAUG vs. ZJAN — Risk / Return Rank

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

BAUG

BAUG Risk / Return Rank: 83
BAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
BAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 86
BAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
BAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 87

ZJAN

ZJAN Risk / Return Rank: 95
ZJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ZJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
ZJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ZJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ZJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

BAUG vs. ZJAN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (BAUG) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr January (ZJAN). 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.

	BAUG	ZJAN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	3.41	-1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	5.19	-1.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.75	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.24	5.12	-1.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.39	26.22	-9.83

BAUG vs. ZJAN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is lower than the ZJAN Sharpe Ratio of 3.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAUG and ZJAN, 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

BAUG vs. ZJAN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAUG drawdown since its inception was -24.19%, which is greater than ZJAN's maximum drawdown of -3.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAUG and ZJAN.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAUG	ZJAN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.19%	-3.20%	-20.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.66%	-1.36%	-4.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.78%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.59%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	-0.20%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.84%	-0.35%	-2.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.12%	0.27%	+0.85%

Volatility

BAUG vs. ZJAN - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (BAUG) has a higher volatility of 1.50% compared to Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr January (ZJAN) at 0.50%. This indicates that BAUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZJAN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BAUG	ZJAN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.50%	0.50%	+1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.95%	1.49%	+4.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.79%	2.05%	+5.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.71%	2.99%	+8.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.93%	2.99%	+10.94%

BAUG vs. ZJAN - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BAUG and ZJAN have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

BAUG vs. ZJAN - Dividend Comparison

Neither BAUG nor ZJAN has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAUG and ZJAN in my portfolio?

BAUG and ZJAN have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BAUG or ZJAN?

BAUG has higher volatility (1.50%) compared to ZJAN (0.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAUG dropped -24.19% vs ZJAN's -3.20%.

Which ETF is better, BAUG or ZJAN?

On 1-year performance, BAUG leads with 19.42% vs 7.05% for ZJAN. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, ZJAN has been the lower-risk option at 0.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BAUG or ZJAN?

Over the 1-year period, BAUG has performed better with a 19.42% return vs 7.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BAUG or ZJAN?

BAUG and ZJAN have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BAUG or ZJAN?

BAUG and ZJAN have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZJAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.41 vs 2.36), 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.