MSTX vs. XTJL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MSTX (Defiance Daily Target 2X Long MSTR ETF) and XTJL (Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July) are both Leveraged Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, MSTX returned -95.49% vs 15.64% for XTJL. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MSTX charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for XTJL.

Performance

MSTX vs. XTJL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Long MSTR ETF (MSTX) and Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July (XTJL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSTX achieves a -54.94% return, which is significantly lower than XTJL's 5.36% return.

MSTX

• 1D: -14.41%
• 1M: -56.02%
• YTD: -54.94%
• 6M: -72.02%
• 1Y: -95.49%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XTJL

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.16%
• YTD: 5.36%
• 6M: 6.38%
• 1Y: 15.64%
• 3Y*: 14.68%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MSTX vs. XTJL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MSTX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long MSTR ETF	-54.94%	-89.06%	137.37%
XTJL Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July	5.36%	15.42%	5.48%

Correlation

The correlation between MSTX and XTJL is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2024	0.45

Return for Risk

MSTX vs. XTJL — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSTX

MSTX Risk / Return Rank: 1
MSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
MSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
MSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
MSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
MSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

XTJL

XTJL Risk / Return Rank: 71
XTJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
XTJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
XTJL Omega Ratio Rank: 77
XTJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
XTJL Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

MSTX vs. XTJL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long MSTR ETF (MSTX) and Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July (XTJL). 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.

	MSTX	XTJL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.68	2.12	-2.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-2.10	3.14	-5.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.78	1.46	-0.68
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.99	3.07	-4.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.27	17.37	-18.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSTX vs. XTJL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSTX Sharpe Ratio is -0.68, which is lower than the XTJL Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSTX and XTJL, 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

	MSTX	XTJL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.68	2.12	-2.80
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.42	0.65	-1.06

Drawdowns

MSTX vs. XTJL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSTX drawdown since its inception was -98.66%, which is greater than XTJL's maximum drawdown of -23.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSTX and XTJL.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSTX	XTJL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.66%	-23.24%	-75.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-96.62%	-5.12%	-91.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-98.61%	0.00%	-98.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-69.94%	-4.04%	-65.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	75.26%	0.90%	+74.36%

Volatility

MSTX vs. XTJL - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Daily Target 2X Long MSTR ETF (MSTX) has a higher volatility of 39.64% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July (XTJL) at 0.33%. This indicates that MSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XTJL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSTX	XTJL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	39.64%	0.33%	+39.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	112.57%	5.72%	+106.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	140.09%	7.43%	+132.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	167.46%	15.22%	+152.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	167.46%	15.22%	+152.24%

MSTX vs. XTJL - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSTX has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than XTJL's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSTX vs. XTJL - Dividend Comparison

Neither MSTX nor XTJL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
MSTX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	41.01%
XTJL Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSTX and XTJL in my portfolio?

MSTX and XTJL have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSTX or XTJL?

MSTX has higher volatility (39.64%) compared to XTJL (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSTX dropped -98.66% vs XTJL's -23.24%.

Which ETF is better, MSTX or XTJL?

On 1-year performance, XTJL leads with 15.64% vs -95.49% for MSTX. On fees, XTJL is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, XTJL has been the lower-risk option at 0.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MSTX or XTJL?

Over the 1-year period, XTJL has performed better with a 15.64% return vs -95.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MSTX or XTJL?

XTJL is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for MSTX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MSTX or XTJL?

MSTX and XTJL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between MSTX and XTJL?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for MSTX and 0.79% for XTJL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XTJL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs -0.68), 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.