MAXJ vs. JPST

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MAXJ (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF) and JPST (JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MAXJ is a Equity Hedged fund actively managed by iShares, while JPST is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by JPMorgan. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, MAXJ returned 9.25% vs 4.31% for JPST. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MAXJ charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for JPST.

Performance

MAXJ vs. JPST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) and JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MAXJ achieves a 2.88% return, which is significantly higher than JPST's 1.40% return.

MAXJ

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 2.88%
• 6M: 3.34%
• 1Y: 9.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

JPST

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.40%
• 6M: 1.74%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: 5.16%
• 5Y*: 3.61%
• 10Y*: —

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

MAXJ vs. JPST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MAXJ iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF	2.88%	8.97%	4.55%
JPST JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF	1.40%	4.99%	2.81%

Correlation

The correlation between MAXJ and JPST is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2024	0.11

Return for Risk

MAXJ vs. JPST — Risk / Return Rank

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

MAXJ

MAXJ Risk / Return Rank: 93
MAXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
MAXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
MAXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 95
MAXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
MAXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 95

JPST

JPST Risk / Return Rank: 99
JPST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
JPST Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
JPST Omega Ratio Rank: 99
JPST Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
JPST Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

MAXJ vs. JPST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) and JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST). 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.

	MAXJ	JPST	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.19	8.09	-4.90
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.25	17.60	-12.36
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.76	3.94	-2.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.45	29.16	-23.71
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	30.88	144.13	-113.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MAXJ vs. JPST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAXJ Sharpe Ratio is 3.19, which is lower than the JPST Sharpe Ratio of 8.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAXJ and JPST, 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

	MAXJ	JPST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.19	8.09	-4.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	6.32	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.64	3.20	-1.56

Drawdowns

MAXJ vs. JPST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAXJ drawdown since its inception was -6.35%, which is greater than JPST's maximum drawdown of -3.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAXJ and JPST.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAXJ	JPST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.35%	-3.28%	-3.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.70%	-0.15%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.30%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-0.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.56%	-0.08%	-0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	0.03%	+0.27%

Volatility

MAXJ vs. JPST - Volatility Comparison

iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) has a higher volatility of 0.30% compared to JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST) at 0.15%. This indicates that MAXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JPST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MAXJ	JPST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.30%	0.15%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.93%	0.36%	+1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.93%	0.54%	+2.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.28%	0.58%	+4.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.28%	0.93%	+4.35%

MAXJ vs. JPST - Expense Ratio Comparison

MAXJ has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than JPST's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

MAXJ vs. JPST - Dividend Comparison

MAXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, less than JPST's 4.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JPST JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF	4.26%	4.43%	5.16%	4.79%	1.83%	0.73%	1.43%	2.69%	2.07%	0.96%
MAXJ iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF	0.98%	1.01%	0.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MAXJ and JPST in my portfolio?

MAXJ and JPST have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MAXJ or JPST?

MAXJ has higher volatility (0.30%) compared to JPST (0.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAXJ dropped -6.35% vs JPST's -3.28%.

Which ETF is better, MAXJ or JPST?

On 1-year performance, MAXJ leads with 9.25% vs 4.31% for JPST. On fees, JPST is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, JPST has been the lower-risk option at 0.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MAXJ or JPST?

Over the 1-year period, MAXJ has performed better with a 9.25% return vs 4.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MAXJ or JPST?

JPST is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for MAXJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MAXJ or JPST?

JPST has the higher dividend yield at 4.26%, compared with 0.98% for MAXJ.

What is the main difference between MAXJ and JPST?

MAXJ is categorized as Equity Hedged, while JPST is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: iShares and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for MAXJ and 0.18% for JPST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JPST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.09 vs 3.19), 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.