BSTP vs. AJUL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BSTP (Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF) and AJUL (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To July 2026) are both Options Trading funds from Innovator. BSTP is passively managed, while AJUL is actively managed. Over the past year, BSTP returned 16.71% vs 9.05% for AJUL. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BSTP charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for AJUL.

Performance

BSTP vs. AJUL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To July 2026 (AJUL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSTP achieves a 6.07% return, which is significantly higher than AJUL's 3.08% return.

BSTP

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 3.05%
• YTD: 6.07%
• 6M: 6.56%
• 1Y: 16.71%
• 3Y*: 14.35%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AJUL

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.69%
• YTD: 3.08%
• 6M: 3.74%
• 1Y: 9.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BSTP vs. AJUL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BSTP Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF	6.07%	11.80%	5.68%
AJUL Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To July 2026	3.08%	7.63%	4.51%

Correlation

The correlation between BSTP and AJUL is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2024	0.88

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

Return for Risk

BSTP vs. AJUL — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSTP

BSTP Risk / Return Rank: 65
BSTP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
BSTP Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
BSTP Omega Ratio Rank: 69
BSTP Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
BSTP Martin Ratio Rank: 71

AJUL

AJUL Risk / Return Rank: 89
AJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
AJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
AJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 93
AJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
AJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

BSTP vs. AJUL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To July 2026 (AJUL). 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.

	BSTP	AJUL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	2.84	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	4.54	-1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.64	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	4.15	-1.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.18	24.50	-11.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BSTP vs. AJUL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSTP Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the AJUL Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSTP and AJUL, 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

	BSTP	AJUL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12	2.84	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	1.61	-0.70

Drawdowns

BSTP vs. AJUL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSTP drawdown since its inception was -16.69%, which is greater than AJUL's maximum drawdown of -6.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSTP and AJUL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSTP	AJUL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.69%	-6.06%	-10.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.23%	-2.19%	-4.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.69%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	0.00%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.52%	-0.51%	-3.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.27%	0.37%	+0.90%

Volatility

BSTP vs. AJUL - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP) has a higher volatility of 1.52% compared to Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To July 2026 (AJUL) at 0.17%. This indicates that BSTP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AJUL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSTP	AJUL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.52%	0.17%	+1.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.15%	2.50%	+3.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.93%	3.20%	+4.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.11%	5.00%	+7.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.11%	5.00%	+7.11%

BSTP vs. AJUL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSTP has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than AJUL's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSTP vs. AJUL - Dividend Comparison

Neither BSTP nor AJUL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSTP and AJUL in my portfolio?

BSTP and AJUL have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSTP or AJUL?

BSTP has higher volatility (1.52%) compared to AJUL (0.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSTP dropped -16.69% vs AJUL's -6.06%.

Which ETF is better, BSTP or AJUL?

On 1-year performance, BSTP leads with 16.71% vs 9.05% for AJUL. On fees, AJUL is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, AJUL has been the lower-risk option at 0.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BSTP or AJUL?

Over the 1-year period, BSTP has performed better with a 16.71% return vs 9.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BSTP or AJUL?

AJUL is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BSTP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BSTP or AJUL?

BSTP and AJUL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BSTP and AJUL?

Their fees differ too: 0.89% for BSTP and 0.79% for AJUL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AJUL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 2.12), 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.