PJAN vs. BAUG

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PJAN (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January) and BAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - PJAN tracks the Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect January Series Index while BAUG tracks the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PJAN returned 8.76%/yr vs 11.04%/yr for BAUG. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

PJAN vs. BAUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January (PJAN) and Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (BAUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PJAN achieves a 4.83% return, which is significantly lower than BAUG's 6.20% return.

PJAN

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 4.83%
• 6M: 5.48%
• 1Y: 13.70%
• 3Y*: 12.39%
• 5Y*: 8.76%
• 10Y*: —

BAUG

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 0.67%
• YTD: 6.20%
• 6M: 6.80%
• 1Y: 18.27%
• 3Y*: 17.14%
• 5Y*: 11.04%
• 10Y*: —

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

PJAN vs. BAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PJAN Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January	4.83%	11.29%	13.45%	18.18%	-5.29%	8.80%	7.68%	2.68%
BAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	6.20%	14.81%	21.15%	20.11%	-10.30%	12.06%	12.20%	5.94%

Correlation

The correlation between PJAN and BAUG is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2019	0.89

The correlation between PJAN and BAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PJAN vs. BAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PJAN

PJAN Risk / Return Rank: 82
PJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
PJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
PJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
PJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 86

BAUG

BAUG Risk / Return Rank: 83
BAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
BAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 86
BAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
BAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

PJAN vs. BAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January (PJAN) and Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (BAUG). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PJAN	BAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	2.36	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	3.39	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.46	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	3.24	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.67	16.39	-0.71

PJAN vs. BAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PJAN Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the BAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PJAN and BAUG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PJAN vs. BAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PJAN drawdown since its inception was -21.25%, smaller than the maximum BAUG drawdown of -24.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PJAN and BAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PJAN	BAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.25%	-24.19%	+2.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.63%	-5.66%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.49%	-13.78%	+3.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.93%	-15.59%	+3.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.54%	-0.40%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.72%	-2.84%	+1.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	1.12%	-0.24%

Volatility

PJAN vs. BAUG - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January (PJAN) has a higher volatility of 1.64% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (BAUG) at 1.50%. This indicates that PJAN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BAUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PJAN	BAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.64%	1.50%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.89%	5.95%	-1.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.91%	7.79%	-1.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.94%	11.71%	-2.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.59%	13.93%	-3.34%

PJAN vs. BAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PJAN and BAUG have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

PJAN vs. BAUG - Dividend Comparison

Neither PJAN nor BAUG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PJAN and BAUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, PJAN and BAUG 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, PJAN or BAUG?

PJAN has higher volatility (1.64%) compared to BAUG (1.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PJAN dropped -21.25% vs BAUG's -24.19%.

Which ETF is better, PJAN or BAUG?

On 5-year performance, BAUG leads with 11.04% vs 8.76% for PJAN. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, BAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PJAN or BAUG?

Over the 5-year period, BAUG has performed better with a 11.04% return vs 8.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PJAN or BAUG?

PJAN and BAUG have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PJAN or BAUG?

PJAN and BAUG have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PJAN and BAUG?

PJAN tracks Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect January Series Index, while BAUG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.33), 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.