PJUL vs. KMAR

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

PJUL (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July) and KMAR (Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - PJUL tracks the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index July while KMAR tracks the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) Price Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PJUL returned 10.53% vs 21.04% for KMAR. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

PJUL vs. KMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July (PJUL) and Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March (KMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PJUL achieves a 5.03% return, which is significantly lower than KMAR's 11.77% return.

PJUL

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 0.24%
• 6M: 4.31%
• YTD: 5.03%
• 1Y: 10.53%
• 3Y*: 11.99%
• 5Y*: 10.47%
• 10Y*: —

KMAR

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.28%
• 6M: 8.68%
• YTD: 11.77%
• 1Y: 21.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PJUL vs. KMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PJUL Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July	5.03%	11.58%
KMAR Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March	11.77%	11.45%

Correlation

The correlation between PJUL and KMAR is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2025	0.78

The correlation between PJUL and KMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PJUL vs. KMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PJUL

PJUL Risk / Return Rank: 85
PJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 89
PJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
PJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 91

KMAR

KMAR Risk / Return Rank: 91
KMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
KMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
KMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 90
KMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
KMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

PJUL vs. KMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July (PJUL) and Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March (KMAR). 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.

	PJUL	KMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	2.30	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	3.39	-0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.44	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	4.32	-1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.26	17.74	-1.49

PJUL vs. KMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PJUL Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the KMAR Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PJUL and KMAR, 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

PJUL vs. KMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PJUL drawdown since its inception was -18.17%, which is greater than KMAR's maximum drawdown of -11.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PJUL and KMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PJUL	KMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.17%	-11.32%	-6.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.64%	-4.89%	+1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.69%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.69%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-0.39%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.45%	-1.28%	-0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.65%	1.19%	-0.54%

Volatility

PJUL vs. KMAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July (PJUL) is 1.15%, while Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March (KMAR) has a volatility of 1.60%. This indicates that PJUL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PJUL	KMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	1.60%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.95%	6.70%	-2.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.00%	9.21%	-4.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.61%	11.90%	-3.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.97%	11.90%	-1.93%

PJUL vs. KMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PJUL and KMAR have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

PJUL vs. KMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither PJUL nor KMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
KMAR Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PJUL Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PJUL and KMAR in my portfolio?

PJUL and KMAR have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PJUL or KMAR?

KMAR has higher volatility (1.60%) compared to PJUL (1.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PJUL dropped -18.17% vs KMAR's -11.32%.

Which ETF is better, PJUL or KMAR?

On 1-year performance, KMAR leads with 21.04% vs 10.53% for PJUL. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, PJUL has been the lower-risk option at 1.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PJUL or KMAR?

Over the 1-year period, KMAR has performed better with a 21.04% return vs 10.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PJUL or KMAR?

PJUL and KMAR have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PJUL or KMAR?

PJUL and KMAR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PJUL and KMAR?

PJUL tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index July, while KMAR tracks iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) Price Return.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 2.12), 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.