LOUP vs. QTJA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

LOUP (Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF) and QTJA (Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January) are both exchange-traded funds - LOUP is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Deepwater Frontier Tech Index, while QTJA is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator. LOUP is passively managed, while QTJA is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, LOUP returned 34.83%/yr vs 16.99%/yr for QTJA. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LOUP charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QTJA.

Performance

LOUP vs. QTJA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP) and Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LOUP achieves a 21.99% return, which is significantly higher than QTJA's 8.89% return.

LOUP

• 1D: -3.56%
• 1M: 4.72%
• YTD: 21.99%
• 6M: 19.67%
• 1Y: 61.21%
• 3Y*: 34.83%
• 5Y*: 11.19%
• 10Y*: —

QTJA

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: -0.74%
• YTD: 8.89%
• 6M: 9.34%
• 1Y: 22.20%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LOUP vs. QTJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
LOUP Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF	21.99%	43.24%	21.80%	51.31%	-46.00%
QTJA Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January	8.89%	18.86%	18.47%	25.56%	-34.45%

Correlation

The correlation between LOUP and QTJA is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2022	0.81

The correlation between LOUP and QTJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LOUP vs. QTJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

LOUP

LOUP Risk / Return Rank: 60
LOUP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
LOUP Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
LOUP Omega Ratio Rank: 56
LOUP Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
LOUP Martin Ratio Rank: 58

QTJA

QTJA Risk / Return Rank: 67
QTJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
QTJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QTJA Omega Ratio Rank: 79
QTJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
QTJA Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

LOUP vs. QTJA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP) and Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA). 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.

	LOUP	QTJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.01	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	2.85	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.42	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	2.29	+0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.65	11.85	-2.20

LOUP vs. QTJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LOUP Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the QTJA Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LOUP and QTJA, 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

LOUP vs. QTJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LOUP drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, which is greater than QTJA's maximum drawdown of -36.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LOUP and QTJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	LOUP	QTJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.68%	-36.07%	-22.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.00%	-9.75%	-11.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.23%	-21.73%	-13.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.64%	-1.73%	-4.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.94%	-13.14%	-6.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.36%	1.88%	+4.48%

Volatility

LOUP vs. QTJA - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP) has a higher volatility of 12.01% compared to Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) at 3.86%. This indicates that LOUP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QTJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LOUP	QTJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.01%	3.86%	+8.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.40%	10.15%	+13.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.92%	11.11%	+18.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.66%	20.39%	+12.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.05%	20.39%	+11.66%

LOUP vs. QTJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

LOUP has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than QTJA's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

LOUP vs. QTJA - Dividend Comparison

Neither LOUP nor QTJA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LOUP and QTJA in my portfolio?

LOUP and QTJA have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LOUP or QTJA?

LOUP has higher volatility (12.01%) compared to QTJA (3.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LOUP dropped -58.68% vs QTJA's -36.07%.

Which ETF is better, LOUP or QTJA?

On 3-year performance, LOUP leads with 34.83% vs 16.99% for QTJA. On fees, LOUP is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, QTJA has been the lower-risk option at 3.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LOUP or QTJA?

Over the 3-year period, LOUP has performed better with a 34.83% return vs 16.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LOUP or QTJA?

LOUP is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QTJA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LOUP or QTJA?

LOUP and QTJA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between LOUP and QTJA?

LOUP is categorized as Technology Equities, while QTJA is Options Trading. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for LOUP and 0.79% for QTJA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LOUP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 2.01), 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.