JANU vs. ZMAY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

JANU (AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Jan ETF) and ZMAY (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, JANU returned 20.59% vs 5.93% for ZMAY. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JANU charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for ZMAY.

Performance

JANU vs. ZMAY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Jan ETF (JANU) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May (ZMAY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JANU achieves a 8.40% return, which is significantly higher than ZMAY's 2.24% return.

JANU

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 3.78%
• YTD: 8.40%
• 6M: 8.36%
• 1Y: 20.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ZMAY

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 2.24%
• 6M: 2.79%
• 1Y: 5.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

JANU vs. ZMAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
JANU AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Jan ETF	8.40%	15.57%
ZMAY Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May	2.24%	4.67%

Correlation

The correlation between JANU and ZMAY is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2025	0.68

The correlation between JANU and ZMAY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JANU vs. ZMAY — Risk / Return Rank

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

JANU

JANU Risk / Return Rank: 69
JANU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
JANU Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
JANU Omega Ratio Rank: 66
JANU Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
JANU Martin Ratio Rank: 73

ZMAY

ZMAY Risk / Return Rank: 97
ZMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
ZMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
ZMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 97
ZMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ZMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

JANU vs. ZMAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Jan ETF (JANU) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May (ZMAY). 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.

	JANU	ZMAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	4.11	-1.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	7.32	-4.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.95	-0.56
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.46	15.23	-11.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.52	70.67	-57.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JANU vs. ZMAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JANU Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is lower than the ZMAY Sharpe Ratio of 4.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JANU and ZMAY, 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

	JANU	ZMAY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	4.11	-1.94
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.33	4.26	-2.92

Drawdowns

JANU vs. ZMAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JANU drawdown since its inception was -11.84%, which is greater than ZMAY's maximum drawdown of -0.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JANU and ZMAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	JANU	ZMAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.84%	-0.39%	-11.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-0.39%	-5.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.02%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.87%	-0.05%	-1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	0.08%	+1.45%

Volatility

JANU vs. ZMAY - Volatility Comparison

AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Jan ETF (JANU) has a higher volatility of 2.48% compared to Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May (ZMAY) at 0.50%. This indicates that JANU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZMAY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JANU	ZMAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.48%	0.50%	+1.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.84%	1.06%	+5.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.55%	1.45%	+8.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.42%	1.52%	+9.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.42%	1.52%	+9.90%

JANU vs. ZMAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

JANU has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than ZMAY's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

JANU vs. ZMAY - Dividend Comparison

Neither JANU nor ZMAY has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JANU and ZMAY in my portfolio?

JANU and ZMAY have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JANU or ZMAY?

JANU has higher volatility (2.48%) compared to ZMAY (0.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JANU dropped -11.84% vs ZMAY's -0.39%.

Which ETF is better, JANU or ZMAY?

On 1-year performance, JANU leads with 20.59% vs 5.93% for ZMAY. On fees, JANU is cheaper at 0.74% per year. On volatility, ZMAY has been the lower-risk option at 0.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JANU or ZMAY?

Over the 1-year period, JANU has performed better with a 20.59% return vs 5.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JANU or ZMAY?

JANU is cheaper with a 0.74% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ZMAY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JANU or ZMAY?

JANU and ZMAY have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between JANU and ZMAY?

They also come from different issuers: AllianzIM and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for JANU and 0.79% for ZMAY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.11 vs 2.17), 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.