EJUL vs. SMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EJUL (Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July) and SMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. EJUL is passively managed, while SMAX is actively managed. Over the past year, EJUL returned 18.82% vs 9.17% for SMAX. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EJUL charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SMAX.

Performance

EJUL vs. SMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July (EJUL) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EJUL achieves a 4.63% return, which is significantly higher than SMAX's 3.09% return.

EJUL

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 0.57%
• YTD: 4.63%
• 6M: 6.20%
• 1Y: 18.82%
• 3Y*: 10.25%
• 5Y*: 3.01%
• 10Y*: —

SMAX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 1.09%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 6M: 3.54%
• 1Y: 9.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EJUL vs. SMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EJUL Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July	4.63%	20.20%	-3.58%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	3.09%	8.01%	1.02%

Correlation

The correlation between EJUL and SMAX is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2024	0.52

The correlation between EJUL and SMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EJUL vs. SMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EJUL

EJUL Risk / Return Rank: 87
EJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
EJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
EJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 89
EJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
EJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 91

SMAX

SMAX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
SMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

EJUL vs. SMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July (EJUL) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX). 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.

	EJUL	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	3.46	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.95	5.32	-1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.75	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.96	4.81	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.65	26.11	-4.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EJUL vs. SMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EJUL Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is comparable to the SMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EJUL and SMAX, 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

	EJUL	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59	3.46	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	2.01	-1.74

Drawdowns

EJUL vs. SMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EJUL drawdown since its inception was -21.61%, which is greater than SMAX's maximum drawdown of -3.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EJUL and SMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EJUL	SMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.61%	-3.90%	-17.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.81%	-1.91%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-0.09%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.61%	-0.40%	-6.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	0.35%	+0.52%

Volatility

EJUL vs. SMAX - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July (EJUL) has a higher volatility of 0.83% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX) at 0.38%. This indicates that EJUL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EJUL	SMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.83%	0.38%	+0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.73%	2.10%	+2.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.30%	2.67%	+4.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.66%	3.67%	+6.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.45%	3.67%	+7.78%

EJUL vs. SMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EJUL has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than SMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

EJUL vs. SMAX - Dividend Comparison

EJUL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
EJUL Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.64%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	0.95%	0.98%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EJUL and SMAX in my portfolio?

EJUL and SMAX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EJUL or SMAX?

EJUL has higher volatility (0.83%) compared to SMAX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EJUL dropped -21.61% vs SMAX's -3.90%.

Which ETF is better, EJUL or SMAX?

On 1-year performance, EJUL leads with 18.82% vs 9.17% for SMAX. On fees, SMAX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SMAX has been the lower-risk option at 0.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EJUL or SMAX?

Over the 1-year period, EJUL has performed better with a 18.82% return vs 9.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EJUL or SMAX?

SMAX is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for EJUL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EJUL or SMAX?

SMAX has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for EJUL.

What is the main difference between EJUL and SMAX?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for EJUL and 0.50% for SMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.46 vs 2.59), 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.