JULQ vs. BSTP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JULQ (Innovator Premium Income 40 Barrier ETF - July) and BSTP (Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF) are both Options Trading funds from Innovator. JULQ is actively managed, while BSTP is passively managed. JULQ charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BSTP.

Performance

JULQ vs. BSTP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Premium Income 40 Barrier ETF - July (JULQ) and Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

JULQ

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BSTP

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 3.05%
• YTD: 6.07%
• 6M: 6.56%
• 1Y: 16.71%
• 3Y*: 14.35%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

JULQ vs. BSTP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
JULQ Innovator Premium Income 40 Barrier ETF - July	0.00%
BSTP Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF	4.99%

JULQ vs. BSTP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JULQ	BSTP
Technology	31.7%	36.2%
Financial Services	14.0%	11.9%
Healthcare	10.9%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	10.1%
Communication Services	9.5%	10.9%
Industrials	7.7%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	4.9%
Energy	3.2%	3.5%
Utilities	2.6%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

JULQ vs. BSTP — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSTP

BSTP Risk / Return Rank: 65
BSTP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
BSTP Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
BSTP Omega Ratio Rank: 69
BSTP Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
BSTP Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

JULQ vs. BSTP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Premium Income 40 Barrier ETF - July (JULQ) and Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP). 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	JULQ	BSTP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.12	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.91	—

Drawdowns

JULQ vs. BSTP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JULQ drawdown since its inception was 0.00%, smaller than the maximum BSTP drawdown of -16.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JULQ and BSTP.

Drawdown Indicators

	JULQ	BSTP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-16.69%	+16.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-6.23%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.32%	+0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-3.52%	+3.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.27%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	JULQ	BSTP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.52%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	6.15%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00%	7.93%	-7.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.00%	12.11%	-12.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.00%	12.11%	-12.11%

JULQ vs. BSTP - Expense Ratio Comparison

JULQ has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than BSTP's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

JULQ vs. BSTP - Dividend Comparison

Neither JULQ nor BSTP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, JULQ or BSTP?

On fees, JULQ is cheaper at 0.79% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, JULQ or BSTP?

JULQ is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BSTP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JULQ or BSTP?

JULQ and BSTP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between JULQ and BSTP?

Their fees differ too: 0.79% for JULQ and 0.89% for BSTP.