QTJL vs. PJAN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QTJL (Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July) and PJAN (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January) are both exchange-traded funds - QTJL is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Innovator, while PJAN is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect January Series Index. QTJL is actively managed, while PJAN is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QTJL returned 19.20%/yr vs 12.96%/yr for PJAN. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

QTJL vs. PJAN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTJL achieves a 7.15% return, which is significantly higher than PJAN's 5.13% return.

QTJL

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 7.15%
• 6M: 7.91%
• 1Y: 20.52%
• 3Y*: 19.20%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PJAN

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 1.94%
• YTD: 5.13%
• 6M: 5.96%
• 1Y: 14.71%
• 3Y*: 12.96%
• 5Y*: 8.92%
• 10Y*: —

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

QTJL vs. PJAN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QTJL Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July	7.15%	21.07%	16.50%	42.39%	-30.16%	9.32%
PJAN Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January	5.13%	11.29%	13.45%	18.18%	-5.29%	2.31%

Correlation

The correlation between QTJL and PJAN is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2021	0.85

The correlation between QTJL and PJAN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QTJL vs. PJAN — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTJL

QTJL Risk / Return Rank: 68
QTJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
QTJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
QTJL Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QTJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
QTJL Martin Ratio Rank: 81

PJAN

PJAN Risk / Return Rank: 79
PJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
PJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
PJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 87
PJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
PJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

QTJL vs. PJAN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	QTJL	PJAN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.55	-0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	3.75	-0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.54	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	3.19	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.23	17.03	-0.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTJL vs. PJAN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTJL Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the PJAN Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTJL and PJAN, 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

	QTJL	PJAN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.55	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.00	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.90	-0.37

Drawdowns

QTJL vs. PJAN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTJL drawdown since its inception was -33.40%, which is greater than PJAN's maximum drawdown of -21.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTJL and PJAN.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTJL	PJAN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.40%	-21.25%	-12.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.68%	-4.63%	-2.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.43%	-10.49%	-11.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-11.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	-0.26%	+0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.94%	-1.73%	-6.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.27%	0.87%	+0.40%

Volatility

QTJL vs. PJAN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - July (QTJL) is 0.31%, while Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January (PJAN) has a volatility of 1.07%. This indicates that QTJL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PJAN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTJL	PJAN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.31%	1.07%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.61%	4.71%	+2.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.01%	5.81%	+4.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.42%	8.93%	+11.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.42%	10.60%	+9.82%

QTJL vs. PJAN - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

QTJL vs. PJAN - Dividend Comparison

Neither QTJL nor PJAN has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTJL and PJAN in my portfolio?

QTJL and PJAN have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTJL or PJAN?

PJAN has higher volatility (1.07%) compared to QTJL (0.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTJL dropped -33.40% vs PJAN's -21.25%.

Which ETF is better, QTJL or PJAN?

On 3-year performance, QTJL leads with 19.20% vs 12.96% for PJAN. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, QTJL has been the lower-risk option at 0.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTJL or PJAN?

Over the 3-year period, QTJL has performed better with a 19.20% return vs 12.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTJL or PJAN?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between QTJL and PJAN?

QTJL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while PJAN is Defined Outcome.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PJAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.06), 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.