HEQQ vs. MAXJ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HEQQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF) and MAXJ (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HEQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund managed by JPMorgan, while MAXJ is a Equity Hedged fund actively managed by iShares. Over the past year, HEQQ returned 17.08% vs 9.25% for MAXJ. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.50% expense ratio.

Performance

HEQQ vs. MAXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HEQQ) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HEQQ achieves a 4.67% return, which is significantly higher than MAXJ's 2.88% return.

HEQQ

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 4.67%
• 6M: 4.45%
• 1Y: 17.08%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MAXJ

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 2.88%
• 6M: 3.34%
• 1Y: 9.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HEQQ vs. MAXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HEQQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF	4.67%	17.20%
MAXJ iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF	2.88%	9.61%

Correlation

The correlation between HEQQ and MAXJ is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2025	0.73

The correlation between HEQQ and MAXJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HEQQ vs. MAXJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

HEQQ

HEQQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
HEQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
HEQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
HEQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 69
HEQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
HEQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 53

MAXJ

MAXJ Risk / Return Rank: 93
MAXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
MAXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
MAXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 95
MAXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
MAXJ 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.

HEQQ vs. MAXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HEQQ) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ). 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.

	HEQQ	MAXJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	3.19	-1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	5.25	-2.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.76	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.25	5.45	-3.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.86	30.88	-22.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HEQQ vs. MAXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HEQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is lower than the MAXJ Sharpe Ratio of 3.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HEQQ and MAXJ, 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

	HEQQ	MAXJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	3.19	-1.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.74	1.64	+0.10

Drawdowns

HEQQ vs. MAXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HEQQ drawdown since its inception was -7.64%, which is greater than MAXJ's maximum drawdown of -6.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEQQ and MAXJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	HEQQ	MAXJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.64%	-6.35%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.64%	-1.70%	-5.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	0.00%	-0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.11%	-0.56%	-0.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	0.30%	+1.63%

Volatility

HEQQ vs. MAXJ - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HEQQ) has a higher volatility of 1.33% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) at 0.30%. This indicates that HEQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MAXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HEQQ	MAXJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	0.30%	+1.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.63%	1.93%	+4.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.14%	2.93%	+5.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.89%	5.28%	+5.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.89%	5.28%	+5.61%

HEQQ vs. MAXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both HEQQ and MAXJ have an expense ratio of 0.50%.

Dividends

HEQQ vs. MAXJ - Dividend Comparison

HEQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.19%, less than MAXJ's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
HEQQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF	0.19%	0.19%	0.00%
MAXJ iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF	0.98%	1.01%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HEQQ and MAXJ in my portfolio?

HEQQ and MAXJ have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HEQQ or MAXJ?

HEQQ has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to MAXJ (0.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HEQQ dropped -7.64% vs MAXJ's -6.35%.

Which ETF is better, HEQQ or MAXJ?

On 1-year performance, HEQQ leads with 17.08% vs 9.25% for MAXJ. Both ETFs have the same 0.50% expense ratio. On volatility, MAXJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HEQQ or MAXJ?

Over the 1-year period, HEQQ has performed better with a 17.08% return vs 9.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HEQQ or MAXJ?

HEQQ and MAXJ have the same expense ratio: 0.50% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HEQQ or MAXJ?

MAXJ has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.19% for HEQQ.

What is the main difference between HEQQ and MAXJ?

HEQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while MAXJ is Equity Hedged. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MAXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.19 vs 2.11), 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.