NJUL vs. DMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NJUL (Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - July) and DMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NJUL is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Invesco QQQ Trust, while DMAX is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, NJUL returned 18.75% vs 8.46% for DMAX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NJUL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for DMAX.

Performance

NJUL vs. DMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - July (NJUL) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NJUL achieves a 6.16% return, which is significantly higher than DMAX's 2.34% return.

NJUL

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 6.16%
• 6M: 6.40%
• 1Y: 18.75%
• 3Y*: 14.95%
• 5Y*: 10.86%
• 10Y*: —

DMAX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 2.34%
• 6M: 3.01%
• 1Y: 8.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NJUL vs. DMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NJUL Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - July	6.16%	15.80%
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	2.34%	7.81%

Correlation

The correlation between NJUL and DMAX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.81

The correlation between NJUL and DMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NJUL vs. DMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NJUL

NJUL Risk / Return Rank: 80
NJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
NJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
NJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 81
NJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
NJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 88

DMAX

DMAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
DMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
DMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

NJUL vs. DMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - July (NJUL) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX). 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.

	NJUL	DMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	3.65	-1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.56	5.65	-2.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.79	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.82	6.01	-2.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.60	30.74	-11.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NJUL vs. DMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NJUL Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is lower than the DMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NJUL and DMAX, 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

	NJUL	DMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	3.65	-1.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.01	2.14	-1.13

Drawdowns

NJUL vs. DMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NJUL drawdown since its inception was -14.37%, which is greater than DMAX's maximum drawdown of -3.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NJUL and DMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NJUL	DMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.37%	-3.37%	-11.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.93%	-1.41%	-3.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.07%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.31%	-0.38%	-1.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	0.28%	+0.68%

Volatility

NJUL vs. DMAX - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - July (NJUL) has a higher volatility of 0.40% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX) at 0.32%. This indicates that NJUL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NJUL	DMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.40%	0.32%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.33%	1.54%	+3.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.71%	2.33%	+5.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.56%	3.40%	+8.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.06%	3.40%	+7.66%

NJUL vs. DMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NJUL has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than DMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

NJUL vs. DMAX - Dividend Comparison

NJUL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%.

Position	TTM	2025
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	1.15%	1.18%
NJUL Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NJUL and DMAX in my portfolio?

NJUL and DMAX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NJUL or DMAX?

NJUL has higher volatility (0.40%) compared to DMAX (0.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NJUL dropped -14.37% vs DMAX's -3.37%.

Which ETF is better, NJUL or DMAX?

On 1-year performance, NJUL leads with 18.75% vs 8.46% for DMAX. On fees, DMAX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NJUL or DMAX?

Over the 1-year period, NJUL has performed better with a 18.75% return vs 8.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NJUL or DMAX?

DMAX is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for NJUL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NJUL or DMAX?

DMAX has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.00% for NJUL.

What is the main difference between NJUL and DMAX?

NJUL is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while DMAX is Defined Outcome. NJUL tracks Invesco QQQ Trust, while DMAX tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for NJUL and 0.50% for DMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.65 vs 2.45), 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.