QTJA vs. POCT

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

QTJA (Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January) and POCT (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October) are both exchange-traded funds - QTJA is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while POCT is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect October Series Index. QTJA is actively managed, while POCT is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QTJA returned 16.95%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for POCT. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

QTJA vs. POCT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTJA achieves a 8.77% return, which is significantly higher than POCT's 4.90% return.

QTJA

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -0.84%
• YTD: 8.77%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 20.85%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

POCT

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 4.90%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 12.61%
• 3Y*: 11.59%
• 5Y*: 9.64%
• 10Y*: —

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

QTJA vs. POCT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
QTJA Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January	8.77%	18.86%	18.47%	25.56%	-34.45%
POCT Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October	4.90%	11.00%	9.54%	20.12%	-1.26%

Correlation

The correlation between QTJA and POCT is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2022	0.84

The correlation between QTJA and POCT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QTJA vs. POCT — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTJA

QTJA Risk / Return Rank: 66
QTJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
QTJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
QTJA Omega Ratio Rank: 78
QTJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
QTJA Martin Ratio Rank: 70

POCT

POCT Risk / Return Rank: 75
POCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
POCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
POCT Omega Ratio Rank: 79
POCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
POCT Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

QTJA vs. POCT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October (POCT). 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.

	QTJA	POCT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	2.06	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	2.94	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.41	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	2.88	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.11	14.57	-3.46

QTJA vs. POCT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTJA Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the POCT Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTJA and POCT, 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

QTJA vs. POCT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTJA drawdown since its inception was -36.07%, which is greater than POCT's maximum drawdown of -18.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTJA and POCT.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTJA	POCT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.07%	-18.80%	-17.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.75%	-4.40%	-5.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.73%	-10.22%	-11.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	-0.84%	-0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.13%	-1.49%	-11.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.88%	0.87%	+1.01%

Volatility

QTJA vs. POCT - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) has a higher volatility of 3.86% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October (POCT) at 1.80%. This indicates that QTJA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than POCT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTJA	POCT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.86%	1.80%	+2.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.15%	4.93%	+5.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.08%	6.17%	+4.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.38%	7.97%	+12.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.38%	10.20%	+10.18%

QTJA vs. POCT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QTJA and POCT have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

QTJA vs. POCT - Dividend Comparison

Neither QTJA nor POCT has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
POCT Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.21%
QTJA Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTJA and POCT in my portfolio?

QTJA and POCT have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTJA or POCT?

QTJA has higher volatility (3.86%) compared to POCT (1.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTJA dropped -36.07% vs POCT's -18.80%.

Which ETF is better, QTJA or POCT?

On 3-year performance, QTJA leads with 16.95% vs 11.59% for POCT. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, POCT has been the lower-risk option at 1.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTJA or POCT?

Over the 3-year period, QTJA has performed better with a 16.95% return vs 11.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTJA or POCT?

QTJA and POCT have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QTJA or POCT?

QTJA and POCT have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between QTJA and POCT?

QTJA is categorized as Options Trading, while POCT is Defined Outcome.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

POCT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.90), 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.