QTJA vs. XMAR

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

QTJA (Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January) and XMAR (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, QTJA returned 17.34%/yr vs 10.75%/yr for XMAR. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QTJA charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for XMAR.

Performance

QTJA vs. XMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTJA achieves a 10.62% return, which is significantly higher than XMAR's 7.02% return.

QTJA

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 10.62%
• 6M: 10.77%
• 1Y: 20.94%
• 3Y*: 17.34%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XMAR

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 7.02%
• 6M: 6.97%
• 1Y: 11.60%
• 3Y*: 10.75%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QTJA vs. XMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QTJA Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January	10.62%	18.86%	18.47%	13.69%
XMAR FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March	7.02%	10.30%	10.10%	10.71%

Correlation

The correlation between QTJA and XMAR is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2023	0.73

The correlation between QTJA and XMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QTJA vs. XMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTJA

QTJA Risk / Return Rank: 68
QTJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
QTJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QTJA Omega Ratio Rank: 79
QTJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
QTJA Martin Ratio Rank: 71

XMAR

XMAR Risk / Return Rank: 97
XMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
XMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
XMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 98
XMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
XMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. XMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR). 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	XMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	3.82	-1.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	6.41	-3.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	2.01	-0.61
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	7.88	-5.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.12	53.22	-42.09

QTJA vs. XMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTJA Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is lower than the XMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTJA and XMAR, 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. XMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTJA drawdown since its inception was -36.07%, which is greater than XMAR's maximum drawdown of -7.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTJA and XMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTJA	XMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.07%	-7.29%	-28.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.75%	-1.48%	-8.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.73%	-7.29%	-14.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.17%	0.00%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.09%	-0.30%	-12.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	0.22%	+1.67%

Volatility

QTJA vs. XMAR - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) has a higher volatility of 4.00% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR) at 1.17%. This indicates that QTJA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTJA	XMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	1.17%	+2.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.20%	2.64%	+7.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.07%	3.05%	+8.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.36%	5.53%	+14.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.36%	5.53%	+14.83%

QTJA vs. XMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTJA has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than XMAR's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTJA vs. XMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither QTJA nor XMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTJA and XMAR in my portfolio?

QTJA and XMAR have a correlation of 0.76, 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 XMAR?

QTJA has higher volatility (4.00%) compared to XMAR (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTJA dropped -36.07% vs XMAR's -7.29%.

Which ETF is better, QTJA or XMAR?

On 3-year performance, QTJA leads with 17.34% vs 10.75% for XMAR. On fees, QTJA is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, XMAR has been the lower-risk option at 1.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTJA or XMAR?

Over the 3-year period, QTJA has performed better with a 17.34% return vs 10.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTJA or XMAR?

QTJA is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for XMAR.

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

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

What is the main difference between QTJA and XMAR?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QTJA and 0.85% for XMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.82 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.