TBJL vs. PQAP

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

TBJL (Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond Buffer ETF – July) and PQAP (PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April) are both Defined Outcome funds. TBJL is passively managed, while PQAP is actively managed. Over the past year, TBJL returned -0.32% vs 20.11% for PQAP. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TBJL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PQAP.

Performance

TBJL vs. PQAP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond Buffer ETF – July (TBJL) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TBJL achieves a -0.55% return, which is significantly lower than PQAP's 10.55% return.

TBJL

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: -0.13%
• YTD: -0.55%
• 6M: -1.07%
• 1Y: -0.32%
• 3Y*: -1.18%
• 5Y*: -3.21%
• 10Y*: —

PQAP

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 6M: 11.29%
• 1Y: 20.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TBJL vs. PQAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TBJL Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond Buffer ETF – July	-0.55%	1.39%
PQAP PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April	10.55%	14.48%

Correlation

The correlation between TBJL and PQAP is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.08

Return for Risk

TBJL vs. PQAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

TBJL

TBJL Risk / Return Rank: 8
TBJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
TBJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
TBJL Omega Ratio Rank: 8
TBJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
TBJL Martin Ratio Rank: 9

PQAP

PQAP Risk / Return Rank: 98
PQAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PQAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP 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.

TBJL vs. PQAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond Buffer ETF – July (TBJL) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP). 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.

	TBJL	PQAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.06	4.34	-4.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.04	6.92	-6.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	2.07	-1.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.07	13.50	-13.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.13	75.87	-76.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TBJL vs. PQAP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TBJL Sharpe Ratio is -0.06, which is lower than the PQAP Sharpe Ratio of 4.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TBJL and PQAP, 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

	TBJL	PQAP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.06	4.34	-4.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.30	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.38	1.64	-2.02

Drawdowns

TBJL vs. PQAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TBJL drawdown since its inception was -29.36%, which is greater than PQAP's maximum drawdown of -10.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TBJL and PQAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	TBJL	PQAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.36%	-10.79%	-18.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.46%	-1.50%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.01%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.57%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.02%	-1.50%	-19.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.63%	-0.61%	-15.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	0.27%	+2.24%

Volatility

TBJL vs. PQAP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond Buffer ETF – July (TBJL) is 0.67%, while PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP) has a volatility of 1.73%. This indicates that TBJL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PQAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TBJL	PQAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.67%	1.73%	-1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.18%	3.43%	-0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.93%	4.68%	+1.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.89%	11.07%	-0.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.66%	11.07%	-0.41%

TBJL vs. PQAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

TBJL has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than PQAP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

TBJL vs. PQAP - Dividend Comparison

TBJL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PQAP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%.

Position	TTM	2025
PQAP PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April	0.02%	0.02%
TBJL Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond Buffer ETF – July	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TBJL and PQAP in my portfolio?

TBJL and PQAP have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TBJL or PQAP?

PQAP has higher volatility (1.73%) compared to TBJL (0.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBJL dropped -29.36% vs PQAP's -10.79%.

Which ETF is better, TBJL or PQAP?

On 1-year performance, PQAP leads with 20.11% vs -0.32% for TBJL. On fees, PQAP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, TBJL has been the lower-risk option at 0.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TBJL or PQAP?

Over the 1-year period, PQAP has performed better with a 20.11% return vs -0.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TBJL or PQAP?

PQAP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for TBJL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TBJL or PQAP?

PQAP has the higher dividend yield at 0.02%, compared with 0.00% for TBJL.

What is the main difference between TBJL and PQAP?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for TBJL and 0.50% for PQAP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.34 vs -0.06), 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.