DDFD vs. PJUL

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

DDFD (Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - December) and PJUL (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - DDFD tracks the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) while PJUL tracks the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index July. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

DDFD vs. PJUL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - December (DDFD) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July (PJUL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DDFD achieves a 4.32% return, which is significantly lower than PJUL's 5.13% return.

DDFD

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 4.32%
• 6M: 4.11%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PJUL

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 5.13%
• 6M: 4.74%
• 1Y: 11.31%
• 3Y*: 12.57%
• 5Y*: 10.45%
• 10Y*: —

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

DDFD vs. PJUL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DDFD Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - December	4.32%	0.82%
PJUL Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July	5.13%	0.78%

Correlation

The correlation between DDFD and PJUL 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 2025	0.85

Return for Risk

DDFD vs. PJUL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DDFD

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

PJUL

PJUL Risk / Return Rank: 85
PJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
PJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

DDFD vs. PJUL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - December (DDFD) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July (PJUL). 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.

	DDFD	PJUL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.32	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.44	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.49	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.12	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	17.55	—

Drawdowns

DDFD vs. PJUL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDFD drawdown since its inception was -3.10%, smaller than the maximum PJUL drawdown of -18.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDFD and PJUL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDFD	PJUL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.10%	-18.17%	+15.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-3.64%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.69%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.42%	-1.46%	+1.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.65%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DDFD	PJUL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.66%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	3.83%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.01%	4.93%	+0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.01%	8.61%	-3.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.01%	9.99%	-4.98%

DDFD vs. PJUL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DDFD and PJUL have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

DDFD vs. PJUL - Dividend Comparison

Neither DDFD nor PJUL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DDFD Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PJUL Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDFD and PJUL in my portfolio?

DDFD and PJUL 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 ETF is better, DDFD or PJUL?

Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDFD or PJUL?

DDFD and PJUL have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DDFD or PJUL?

DDFD and PJUL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DDFD and PJUL?

DDFD tracks SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), while PJUL tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index July.