MAXJ vs. ZJUL

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr July (ZJUL).

MAXJ and ZJUL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. MAXJ is an actively managed fund by iShares. It was launched on Jun 28, 2024. ZJUL is an actively managed fund by Innovator. It was launched on Jun 28, 2024.

Performance

MAXJ vs. ZJUL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr July (ZJUL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MAXJ vs. ZJUL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MAXJ iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF	0.14%	8.97%	4.55%
ZJUL Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr July	-0.02%	7.47%	4.02%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MAXJ achieves a 0.14% return, which is significantly higher than ZJUL's -0.02% return.

MAXJ

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: -0.48%
• YTD: 0.14%
• 6M: 1.64%
• 1Y: 10.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ZJUL

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -0.70%
• YTD: -0.02%
• 6M: 1.11%
• 1Y: 8.27%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MAXJ vs. ZJUL - Expense Ratio Comparison

MAXJ has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than ZJUL's 0.79% expense ratio.

ZJUL

Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr July

MAXJ

iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF

Return for Risk

MAXJ vs. ZJUL — Risk / Return Rank

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

MAXJ

MAXJ Risk / Return Rank: 90
MAXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
MAXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
MAXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 95
MAXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
MAXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 92

ZJUL

ZJUL Risk / Return Rank: 85
ZJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
ZJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
ZJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 91
ZJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
ZJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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. ZJUL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr July (ZJUL). 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	ZJUL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.63	+0.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	2.48	+0.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.41	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	2.35	+0.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.87	12.52	+1.35
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. ZJUL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAXJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the ZJUL Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAXJ and ZJUL, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MAXJ	ZJUL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86	1.63	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.43	1.37	+0.06

Correlation

The correlation between MAXJ and ZJUL is 0.75, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

MAXJ vs. ZJUL - Dividend Comparison

MAXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, while ZJUL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024
MAXJ iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF	1.01%	1.01%	0.81%
ZJUL Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

MAXJ vs. ZJUL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAXJ drawdown since its inception was -6.35%, which is greater than ZJUL's maximum drawdown of -5.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAXJ and ZJUL.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAXJ	ZJUL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.35%	-5.51%	-0.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.88%	-3.64%	-0.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-0.80%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.61%	-0.51%	-0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.76%	0.68%	+0.08%

Volatility

MAXJ vs. ZJUL - Volatility Comparison

iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) has a higher volatility of 1.32% compared to Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr July (ZJUL) at 1.23%. This indicates that MAXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZJUL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MAXJ	ZJUL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.32%	1.23%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.95%	1.84%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.67%	5.11%	+0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.50%	4.82%	+0.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.50%	4.82%	+0.68%