RSDE vs. LJUL

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

RSDE (FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December) and LJUL (Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July) are both Defined Outcome funds. RSDE is passively managed, while LJUL is actively managed. Over the past year, RSDE returned 14.04% vs 5.58% for LJUL. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RSDE charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for LJUL.

Performance

RSDE vs. LJUL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December (RSDE) and Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July (LJUL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSDE achieves a 6.62% return, which is significantly higher than LJUL's 2.02% return.

RSDE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 6.62%
• 6M: 5.87%
• 1Y: 14.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

LJUL

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 2.02%
• 6M: 2.09%
• 1Y: 5.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

RSDE vs. LJUL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
RSDE FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December	6.62%	8.96%	0.33%
LJUL Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July	2.02%	5.91%	0.21%

Correlation

The correlation between RSDE and LJUL is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2024	0.60

The correlation between RSDE and LJUL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RSDE vs. LJUL — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSDE

RSDE Risk / Return Rank: 56
RSDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
RSDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
RSDE Omega Ratio Rank: 51
RSDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
RSDE Martin Ratio Rank: 61

LJUL

LJUL Risk / Return Rank: 97
LJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
LJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
LJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 97
LJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
LJUL 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.

RSDE vs. LJUL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December (RSDE) and Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July (LJUL). 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.

	RSDE	LJUL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	3.55	-1.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	5.81	-3.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.88	-0.57
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	10.68	-7.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.53	53.94	-43.42

RSDE vs. LJUL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is lower than the LJUL Sharpe Ratio of 3.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSDE and LJUL, 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

RSDE vs. LJUL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSDE drawdown since its inception was -10.77%, which is greater than LJUL's maximum drawdown of -4.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSDE and LJUL.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSDE	LJUL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.77%	-4.85%	-5.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.83%	-0.52%	-4.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	0.00%	-0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.25%	-0.69%	-0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.34%	0.10%	+1.24%

Volatility

RSDE vs. LJUL - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December (RSDE) has a higher volatility of 1.79% compared to Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July (LJUL) at 0.13%. This indicates that RSDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LJUL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSDE	LJUL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.79%	0.13%	+1.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.98%	1.05%	+3.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.03%	1.58%	+6.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.93%	4.30%	+6.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.93%	4.30%	+6.63%

RSDE vs. LJUL - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSDE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than LJUL's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSDE vs. LJUL - Dividend Comparison

RSDE has not paid dividends to shareholders, while LJUL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.22%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
LJUL Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July	5.22%	5.36%	2.78%
RSDE FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSDE and LJUL in my portfolio?

RSDE and LJUL have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSDE or LJUL?

RSDE has higher volatility (1.79%) compared to LJUL (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSDE dropped -10.77% vs LJUL's -4.85%.

Which ETF is better, RSDE or LJUL?

On 1-year performance, RSDE leads with 14.04% vs 5.58% for LJUL. On fees, LJUL is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, LJUL has been the lower-risk option at 0.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSDE or LJUL?

Over the 1-year period, RSDE has performed better with a 14.04% return vs 5.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSDE or LJUL?

LJUL is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for RSDE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RSDE or LJUL?

LJUL has the higher dividend yield at 5.22%, compared with 0.00% for RSDE.

What is the main difference between RSDE and LJUL?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LJUL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.55 vs 1.76), 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.