NJAN vs. VSCSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NJAN (Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - January) and VSCSX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - NJAN is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while VSCSX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, NJAN returned 8.15%/yr vs 2.37%/yr for VSCSX. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NJAN charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSCSX.

Performance

NJAN vs. VSCSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - January (NJAN) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX). 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 VSCSX's 0.61% return.

NJAN

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

VSCSX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.61%
• 6M: 0.99%
• 1Y: 4.29%
• 3Y*: 5.63%
• 5Y*: 2.37%
• 10Y*: 2.72%

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

NJAN vs. VSCSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
NJAN Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - January	7.27%	14.20%	15.35%	20.95%	-18.92%	11.55%	8.29%
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.61%	6.75%	5.36%	6.11%	-5.72%	-0.43%	4.96%

Correlation

The correlation between NJAN and VSCSX is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2020	0.17

Return for Risk

NJAN vs. VSCSX — 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

VSCSX

VSCSX Risk / Return Rank: 77
VSCSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VSCSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VSCSX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VSCSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VSCSX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. VSCSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - January (NJAN) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX). 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	VSCSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	2.60	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	3.99	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.53	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	3.33	-0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.27	13.29	+1.98
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. VSCSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NJAN Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is comparable to the VSCSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NJAN and VSCSX, 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	VSCSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	2.60	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.88	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.15	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	1.36	-0.71

Drawdowns

NJAN vs. VSCSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NJAN drawdown since its inception was -20.70%, which is greater than VSCSX's maximum drawdown of -9.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NJAN and VSCSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NJAN	VSCSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.70%	-9.36%	-11.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.90%	-1.36%	-4.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.14%	-1.36%	-11.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.70%	-9.36%	-11.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-9.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.36%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.82%	-0.98%	-2.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.23%	0.34%	+0.89%

Volatility

NJAN vs. VSCSX - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - January (NJAN) has a higher volatility of 1.06% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX) at 0.56%. This indicates that NJAN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSCSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NJAN	VSCSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.06%	0.56%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.72%	1.27%	+4.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.03%	1.75%	+5.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.29%	2.71%	+9.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.92%	2.37%	+10.55%

NJAN vs. VSCSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NJAN has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than VSCSX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

NJAN vs. VSCSX - Dividend Comparison

NJAN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VSCSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.42%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NJAN Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - January	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.42%	4.32%	4.27%	3.07%	1.98%	1.78%	2.25%	2.85%	2.66%	2.26%	1.93%	2.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NJAN and VSCSX in my portfolio?

NJAN and VSCSX have a correlation of 0.24, 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 VSCSX?

NJAN has higher volatility (1.06%) compared to VSCSX (0.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NJAN dropped -20.70% vs VSCSX's -9.36%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NJAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 2.60), 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.