LJUL vs. PIT

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

LJUL (Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July) and PIT (VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LJUL is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while PIT is a Commodities fund actively managed by VanEck. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, LJUL returned 5.58% vs 38.33% for PIT. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LJUL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for PIT.

Performance

LJUL vs. PIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July (LJUL) and VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LJUL achieves a 2.02% return, which is significantly lower than PIT's 27.31% return.

LJUL

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 2.02%
• 6M: 2.09%
• 1Y: 5.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PIT

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: -10.60%
• YTD: 27.31%
• 6M: 26.74%
• 1Y: 38.33%
• 3Y*: 19.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LJUL vs. PIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LJUL Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July	2.02%	5.91%	-0.86%
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF	27.31%	21.63%	-0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between LJUL and PIT is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2024	0.02

The correlation between LJUL and PIT shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (1 year) to 0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

LJUL vs. PIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

LJUL

LJUL Risk / Return Rank: 97
LJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
LJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
LJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 97
LJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
LJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

PIT

PIT Risk / Return Rank: 55
PIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
PIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
PIT Omega Ratio Rank: 52
PIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
PIT Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

LJUL vs. PIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July (LJUL) and VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT). 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.

	LJUL	PIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.55	1.78	+1.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.81	2.32	+3.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.88	1.32	+0.56
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.68	2.74	+7.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	53.94	10.88	+43.06

LJUL vs. PIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LJUL Sharpe Ratio is 3.55, which is higher than the PIT Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LJUL and PIT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

LJUL vs. PIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LJUL drawdown since its inception was -4.85%, smaller than the maximum PIT drawdown of -14.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LJUL and PIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	LJUL	PIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.85%	-14.05%	+9.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.52%	-14.05%	+13.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-14.05%	+14.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.69%	-4.07%	+3.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.10%	3.59%	-3.49%

Volatility

LJUL vs. PIT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July (LJUL) is 0.13%, while VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT) has a volatility of 4.67%. This indicates that LJUL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LJUL	PIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.13%	4.67%	-4.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.05%	19.36%	-18.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.58%	21.66%	-20.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.30%	17.50%	-13.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.30%	17.50%	-13.20%

LJUL vs. PIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

LJUL has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than PIT's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

LJUL vs. PIT - Dividend Comparison

LJUL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.22%, less than PIT's 7.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
LJUL Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July	5.22%	5.36%	2.78%	0.00%
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF	7.00%	8.92%	3.59%	6.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LJUL and PIT in my portfolio?

LJUL and PIT have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LJUL or PIT?

PIT has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to LJUL (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LJUL dropped -4.85% vs PIT's -14.05%.

Which ETF is better, LJUL or PIT?

On 1-year performance, PIT leads with 38.33% vs 5.58% for LJUL. On fees, PIT is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, LJUL has been the lower-risk option at 0.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LJUL or PIT?

Over the 1-year period, PIT has performed better with a 38.33% return vs 5.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LJUL or PIT?

PIT is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for LJUL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LJUL or PIT?

PIT has the higher dividend yield at 7.00%, compared with 5.22% for LJUL.

What is the main difference between LJUL and PIT?

LJUL is categorized as Defined Outcome, while PIT is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for LJUL and 0.55% for PIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LJUL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.55 vs 1.78), 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.