PDEC vs. UXJA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PDEC (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - December) and UXJA (FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January) are both Defined Outcome funds. PDEC is passively managed, while UXJA is actively managed. Over the past year, PDEC returned 17.23% vs 29.61% for UXJA. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PDEC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for UXJA.

Performance

PDEC vs. UXJA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - December (PDEC) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January (UXJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDEC achieves a 5.69% return, which is significantly lower than UXJA's 11.66% return.

PDEC

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 2.25%
• YTD: 5.69%
• 6M: 6.10%
• 1Y: 17.23%
• 3Y*: 12.39%
• 5Y*: 8.60%
• 10Y*: —

UXJA

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 5.79%
• YTD: 11.66%
• 6M: 11.51%
• 1Y: 29.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PDEC vs. UXJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PDEC Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - December	5.69%	11.32%
UXJA FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January	11.66%	13.93%

Correlation

The correlation between PDEC and UXJA is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2025	0.96

The correlation between PDEC and UXJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PDEC vs. UXJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDEC

PDEC Risk / Return Rank: 81
PDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
PDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
PDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 83
PDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 87

UXJA

UXJA Risk / Return Rank: 66
UXJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
UXJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
UXJA Omega Ratio Rank: 65
UXJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
UXJA Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

PDEC vs. UXJA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - December (PDEC) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January (UXJA). 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.

	PDEC	UXJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	2.20	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	2.98	+0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.38	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.62	3.03	+0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.75	13.05	+5.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PDEC vs. UXJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is comparable to the UXJA Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDEC and UXJA, 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

	PDEC	UXJA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.57	2.20	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	1.04	-0.23

Drawdowns

PDEC vs. UXJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDEC drawdown since its inception was -19.31%, roughly equal to the maximum UXJA drawdown of -20.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDEC and UXJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDEC	UXJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.31%	-20.01%	+0.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.78%	-9.83%	+5.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.77%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.67%	+0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.02%	-2.97%	+0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	2.27%	-1.35%

Volatility

PDEC vs. UXJA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - December (PDEC) is 1.09%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January (UXJA) has a volatility of 3.40%. This indicates that PDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UXJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDEC	UXJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.09%	3.40%	-2.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.94%	10.05%	-5.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.75%	13.54%	-6.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.90%	18.59%	-9.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.96%	18.59%	-7.63%

PDEC vs. UXJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDEC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than UXJA's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDEC vs. UXJA - Dividend Comparison

Neither PDEC nor UXJA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDEC and UXJA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, PDEC and UXJA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PDEC or UXJA?

UXJA has higher volatility (3.40%) compared to PDEC (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDEC dropped -19.31% vs UXJA's -20.01%.

Which ETF is better, PDEC or UXJA?

On 1-year performance, UXJA leads with 29.61% vs 17.23% for PDEC. On fees, PDEC is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, PDEC has been the lower-risk option at 1.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PDEC or UXJA?

Over the 1-year period, UXJA has performed better with a 29.61% return vs 17.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PDEC or UXJA?

PDEC is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for UXJA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PDEC or UXJA?

PDEC and UXJA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PDEC and UXJA?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for PDEC and 0.85% for UXJA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 2.20), 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.