NJAN vs. AJAN

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NJAN (Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - January) and AJAN (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026) are both exchange-traded funds - NJAN is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while AJAN is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator. NJAN is passively managed, while AJAN is actively managed. Over the past year, NJAN returned 18.67% vs 6.13% for AJAN. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

NJAN vs. AJAN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - January (NJAN) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NJAN achieves a 7.27% return, which is significantly higher than AJAN's 2.03% return.

NJAN

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 2.16%
• YTD: 7.27%
• 6M: 8.25%
• 1Y: 18.67%
• 3Y*: 14.29%
• 5Y*: 8.15%
• 10Y*: —

AJAN

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 2.43%
• 1Y: 6.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NJAN vs. AJAN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NJAN Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - January	7.27%	14.20%	16.44%
AJAN Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026	2.03%	6.12%	7.78%

Correlation

The correlation between NJAN and AJAN is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2024	0.73

The correlation between NJAN and AJAN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NJAN vs. AJAN — Risk / Return Rank

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

NJAN

NJAN Risk / Return Rank: 80
NJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
NJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
NJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 87
NJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
NJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 79

AJAN

AJAN Risk / Return Rank: 78
AJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
AJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 91
AJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
AJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

NJAN vs. AJAN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - January (NJAN) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN). 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.

	NJAN	AJAN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	2.61	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	4.08	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.58	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	2.74	+0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.27	13.81	+1.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NJAN vs. AJAN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NJAN Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is comparable to the AJAN Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NJAN and AJAN, 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

	NJAN	AJAN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	2.61	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	1.74	-1.10

Drawdowns

NJAN vs. AJAN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NJAN drawdown since its inception was -20.70%, which is greater than AJAN's maximum drawdown of -4.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NJAN and AJAN.

Drawdown Indicators

	NJAN	AJAN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.70%	-4.11%	-16.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.90%	-2.24%	-3.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.14%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.70%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.09%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.82%	-0.29%	-3.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.23%	0.44%	+0.79%

Volatility

NJAN vs. AJAN - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - January (NJAN) has a higher volatility of 1.06% compared to Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN) at 0.65%. This indicates that NJAN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AJAN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NJAN	AJAN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.06%	0.65%	+0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.72%	2.05%	+3.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.03%	2.36%	+4.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.29%	3.80%	+8.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.92%	3.80%	+9.12%

NJAN vs. AJAN - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both NJAN and AJAN have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

NJAN vs. AJAN - Dividend Comparison

Neither NJAN nor AJAN has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NJAN and AJAN in my portfolio?

NJAN and AJAN have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NJAN or AJAN?

NJAN has higher volatility (1.06%) compared to AJAN (0.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NJAN dropped -20.70% vs AJAN's -4.11%.

Which ETF is better, NJAN or AJAN?

On 1-year performance, NJAN leads with 18.67% vs 6.13% for AJAN. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, AJAN has been the lower-risk option at 0.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NJAN or AJAN?

Over the 1-year period, NJAN has performed better with a 18.67% return vs 6.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NJAN or AJAN?

NJAN and AJAN have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NJAN or AJAN?

NJAN and AJAN have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between NJAN and AJAN?

NJAN is categorized as Defined Outcome, while AJAN is Options Trading.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NJAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 2.61), 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.