BSTP vs. APRJ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BSTP (Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF) and APRJ (Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April) are both Options Trading funds from Innovator. BSTP is passively managed, while APRJ is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, BSTP returned 14.35%/yr vs 6.35%/yr for APRJ. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BSTP charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for APRJ.

Performance

BSTP vs. APRJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP) and Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April (APRJ). 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 APRJ's 3.18% return.

BSTP

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

APRJ

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.70%
• YTD: 3.18%
• 6M: 3.64%
• 1Y: 6.91%
• 3Y*: 6.35%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BSTP vs. APRJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BSTP Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF	6.07%	11.80%	16.70%	11.77%
APRJ Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April	3.18%	5.71%	6.24%	5.38%

Correlation

The correlation between BSTP and APRJ is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2023	0.53

The correlation between BSTP and APRJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.44 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

BSTP vs. APRJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BSTP	APRJ
Technology	36.2%	33.6%
Financial Services	11.9%	12.4%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.0%
Healthcare	8.4%	9.5%
Industrials	8.1%	8.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	5.3%
Energy	3.5%	4.0%
Utilities	2.3%	2.5%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.0%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.9%

Return for Risk

BSTP vs. APRJ — 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

APRJ

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

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. APRJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP) and Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April (APRJ). 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	APRJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	4.63	-2.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	9.47	-6.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	2.20	-0.79
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	34.55	-31.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.18	103.47	-90.29
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. APRJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSTP Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is lower than the APRJ Sharpe Ratio of 4.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSTP and APRJ, 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	APRJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12	4.63	-2.51
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	1.80	-0.89

Drawdowns

BSTP vs. APRJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSTP drawdown since its inception was -16.69%, which is greater than APRJ's maximum drawdown of -4.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSTP and APRJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSTP	APRJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.69%	-4.68%	-12.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.23%	-0.20%	-6.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.69%	-4.68%	-9.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	-0.12%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.52%	-0.12%	-3.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.27%	0.07%	+1.20%

Volatility

BSTP vs. APRJ - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP) has a higher volatility of 1.52% compared to Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April (APRJ) at 0.47%. This indicates that BSTP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than APRJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSTP	APRJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.52%	0.47%	+1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.15%	1.14%	+5.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.93%	1.50%	+6.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.11%	3.63%	+8.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.11%	3.63%	+8.48%

BSTP vs. APRJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

BSTP vs. APRJ - Dividend Comparison

BSTP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while APRJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.27%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
APRJ Innovator Premium Income 30 Barrier ETF - April	5.27%	5.46%	5.88%	4.88%
BSTP Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSTP and APRJ in my portfolio?

BSTP and APRJ have a correlation of 0.44, 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 APRJ?

BSTP has higher volatility (1.52%) compared to APRJ (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSTP dropped -16.69% vs APRJ's -4.68%.

Which ETF is better, BSTP or APRJ?

On 3-year performance, BSTP leads with 14.35% vs 6.35% for APRJ. On fees, APRJ is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, APRJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BSTP or APRJ?

Over the 3-year period, BSTP has performed better with a 14.35% return vs 6.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BSTP or APRJ?

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

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

APRJ has the higher dividend yield at 5.27%, compared with 0.00% for BSTP.

What is the main difference between BSTP and APRJ?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APRJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.63 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.