STOX vs. DJUN

Last updated Jul 9, 2026

STOX (Horizon Core Equity ETF) and DJUN (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June) are both exchange-traded funds - STOX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Horizon, while DJUN is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% to -35%) Buffer Protect June Series Index. Over the past year, STOX returned 21.77% vs 9.39% for DJUN. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. STOX charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DJUN.

Performance

STOX vs. DJUN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Horizon Core Equity ETF (STOX) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June (DJUN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STOX achieves a 9.35% return, which is significantly higher than DJUN's 4.14% return.

STOX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.69%
• 6M: 8.22%
• YTD: 9.35%
• 1Y: 21.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DJUN

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.32%
• 6M: 3.78%
• YTD: 4.14%
• 1Y: 9.39%
• 3Y*: 11.21%
• 5Y*: 7.94%
• 10Y*: —

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

STOX vs. DJUN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
STOX Horizon Core Equity ETF	9.35%	13.00%
DJUN FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June	4.14%	6.10%

Correlation

The correlation between STOX and DJUN is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.84

The correlation between STOX and DJUN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

STOX vs. DJUN — Risk / Return Rank

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

STOX

STOX Risk / Return Rank: 66
STOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
STOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
STOX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
STOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
STOX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

DJUN

DJUN Risk / Return Rank: 86
DJUN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
DJUN Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
DJUN Omega Ratio Rank: 91
DJUN Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
DJUN Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

STOX vs. DJUN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Horizon Core Equity ETF (STOX) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June (DJUN). 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.

	STOX	DJUN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.11	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	3.22	-0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.48	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	3.02	-0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.62	18.19	-7.57

STOX vs. DJUN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STOX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the DJUN Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STOX and DJUN, 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

STOX vs. DJUN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STOX drawdown since its inception was -9.33%, smaller than the maximum DJUN drawdown of -11.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STOX and DJUN.

Drawdown Indicators

	STOX	DJUN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.33%	-11.96%	+2.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.33%	-3.15%	-6.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.96%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-11.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-0.25%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.20%	-1.57%	+0.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.05%	0.52%	+1.53%

Volatility

STOX vs. DJUN - Volatility Comparison

Horizon Core Equity ETF (STOX) has a higher volatility of 4.15% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June (DJUN) at 1.27%. This indicates that STOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DJUN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STOX	DJUN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.15%	1.27%	+2.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.86%	3.69%	+6.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.71%	4.51%	+8.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.70%	8.53%	+4.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.70%	8.01%	+4.69%

STOX vs. DJUN - Expense Ratio Comparison

STOX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than DJUN's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

STOX vs. DJUN - Dividend Comparison

STOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%, while DJUN has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
DJUN FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June	0.00%	0.00%
STOX Horizon Core Equity ETF	0.17%	0.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STOX and DJUN in my portfolio?

STOX and DJUN have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STOX or DJUN?

STOX has higher volatility (4.15%) compared to DJUN (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STOX dropped -9.33% vs DJUN's -11.96%.

Which ETF is better, STOX or DJUN?

On 1-year performance, STOX leads with 21.77% vs 9.39% for DJUN. On fees, STOX is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, DJUN has been the lower-risk option at 1.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, STOX or DJUN?

Over the 1-year period, STOX has performed better with a 21.77% return vs 9.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, STOX or DJUN?

STOX is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DJUN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, STOX or DJUN?

STOX has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.00% for DJUN.

What is the main difference between STOX and DJUN?

STOX is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DJUN is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Horizon and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for STOX and 0.85% for DJUN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DJUN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.72), 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.