KJUN vs. PQJA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KJUN (Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - June) and PQJA (PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, KJUN returned 14.49% vs 22.65% for PQJA. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KJUN charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PQJA.

Performance

KJUN vs. PQJA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - June (KJUN) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KJUN achieves a 4.15% return, which is significantly lower than PQJA's 8.72% return.

KJUN

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 4.15%
• 6M: 4.65%
• 1Y: 14.49%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PQJA

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 3.19%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 6M: 10.05%
• 1Y: 22.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

KJUN vs. PQJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
KJUN Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - June	4.15%	3.72%
PQJA PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January	8.72%	16.94%

Correlation

The correlation between KJUN and PQJA is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.70

The correlation between KJUN and PQJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KJUN vs. PQJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

KJUN

KJUN Risk / Return Rank: 80
KJUN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
KJUN Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
KJUN Omega Ratio Rank: 75
KJUN Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
KJUN Martin Ratio Rank: 91

PQJA

PQJA Risk / Return Rank: 82
PQJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
PQJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PQJA Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PQJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PQJA Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

KJUN vs. PQJA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - June (KJUN) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA). 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.

	KJUN	PQJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.77	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	3.93	-0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.55	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.27	3.36	+1.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.06	16.33	+5.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KJUN vs. PQJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KJUN Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the PQJA Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KJUN and PQJA, 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

	KJUN	PQJA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.77	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	1.39	-0.65

Drawdowns

KJUN vs. PQJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KJUN drawdown since its inception was -14.44%, roughly equal to the maximum PQJA drawdown of -14.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KJUN and PQJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	KJUN	PQJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.44%	-14.72%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-6.77%	+4.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	-0.09%	-0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.73%	-1.65%	-1.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	1.39%	-0.73%

Volatility

KJUN vs. PQJA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - June (KJUN) is 1.03%, while PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA) has a volatility of 1.20%. This indicates that KJUN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PQJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KJUN	PQJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.03%	1.20%	-0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.72%	6.66%	-2.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.63%	8.24%	-1.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.87%	13.42%	-3.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.87%	13.42%	-3.55%

KJUN vs. PQJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

KJUN has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than PQJA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

KJUN vs. PQJA - Dividend Comparison

Neither KJUN nor PQJA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KJUN and PQJA in my portfolio?

KJUN and PQJA have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KJUN or PQJA?

PQJA has higher volatility (1.20%) compared to KJUN (1.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KJUN dropped -14.44% vs PQJA's -14.72%.

Which ETF is better, KJUN or PQJA?

On 1-year performance, PQJA leads with 22.65% vs 14.49% for KJUN. On fees, PQJA is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, KJUN has been the lower-risk option at 1.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KJUN or PQJA?

Over the 1-year period, PQJA has performed better with a 22.65% return vs 14.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KJUN or PQJA?

PQJA is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for KJUN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KJUN or PQJA?

KJUN and PQJA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between KJUN and PQJA?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for KJUN and 0.50% for PQJA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQJA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 2.21), 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.