JULM vs. APRB

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

JULM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - July) and APRB (Aptus April Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JULM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for APRB.

Performance

JULM vs. APRB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - July (JULM) and Aptus April Buffer ETF (APRB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JULM achieves a 2.87% return, which is significantly lower than APRB's 4.77% return.

JULM

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 2.87%
• 6M: 2.96%
• 1Y: 7.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

APRB

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 4.77%
• 6M: 4.67%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

JULM vs. APRB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
JULM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - July	2.87%	1.20%
APRB Aptus April Buffer ETF	4.77%	2.48%

Correlation

The correlation between JULM and APRB is 0.91, 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 Oct 14, 2025	0.91

Return for Risk

JULM vs. APRB — Risk / Return Rank

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

JULM

JULM Risk / Return Rank: 93
JULM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
JULM Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
JULM Omega Ratio Rank: 96
JULM Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
JULM Martin Ratio Rank: 94

APRB

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

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.

JULM vs. APRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - July (JULM) and Aptus April Buffer ETF (APRB). 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.

	JULM	APRB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.43	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.54	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.80	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.62	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	27.00	—	—

Drawdowns

JULM vs. APRB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JULM drawdown since its inception was -4.42%, roughly equal to the maximum APRB drawdown of -4.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JULM and APRB.

Drawdown Indicators

	JULM	APRB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.42%	-4.59%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.57%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.23%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.33%	-0.72%	+0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.27%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	JULM	APRB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.32%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.70%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12%	5.98%	-3.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.71%	5.98%	-2.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.71%	5.98%	-2.27%

JULM vs. APRB - Expense Ratio Comparison

JULM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than APRB's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

JULM vs. APRB - Dividend Comparison

Neither JULM nor APRB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JULM and APRB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, JULM and APRB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, JULM or APRB?

On fees, APRB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, JULM or APRB?

APRB is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for JULM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JULM or APRB?

JULM and APRB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between JULM and APRB?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Aptus Capital Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for JULM and 0.25% for APRB.