UAPR vs. PMJA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UAPR (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April) and PMJA (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January) are both Defined Outcome funds. UAPR is passively managed, while PMJA is actively managed. Over the past year, UAPR returned 14.02% vs 7.69% for PMJA. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. UAPR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMJA.

Performance

UAPR vs. PMJA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April (UAPR) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UAPR achieves a 6.99% return, which is significantly higher than PMJA's 2.35% return.

UAPR

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.43%
• YTD: 6.99%
• 6M: 7.70%
• 1Y: 14.02%
• 3Y*: 11.14%
• 5Y*: 6.54%
• 10Y*: —

PMJA

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: 2.35%
• 6M: 2.84%
• 1Y: 7.69%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

UAPR vs. PMJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
UAPR Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April	6.99%	6.38%
PMJA PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January	2.35%	6.89%

Correlation

The correlation between UAPR and PMJA is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.83

The correlation between UAPR and PMJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

UAPR vs. PMJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

UAPR

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

PMJA

PMJA Risk / Return Rank: 94
PMJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
PMJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
PMJA Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PMJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
PMJA Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

UAPR vs. PMJA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April (UAPR) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA). 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.

	UAPR	PMJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.40	3.80	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.63	6.16	+1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.06	1.88	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	14.51	5.32	+9.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	71.55	26.64	+44.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UAPR vs. PMJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UAPR Sharpe Ratio is 4.40, which is comparable to the PMJA Sharpe Ratio of 3.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UAPR and PMJA, 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

	UAPR	PMJA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.40	3.80	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	2.32	-1.72

Drawdowns

UAPR vs. PMJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UAPR drawdown since its inception was -14.61%, which is greater than PMJA's maximum drawdown of -2.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UAPR and PMJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	UAPR	PMJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.61%	-2.98%	-11.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.97%	-1.45%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.84%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.84%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.04%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.31%	-0.34%	-2.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.20%	0.29%	-0.09%

Volatility

UAPR vs. PMJA - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April (UAPR) has a higher volatility of 0.78% compared to PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA) at 0.33%. This indicates that UAPR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PMJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UAPR	PMJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.78%	0.33%	+0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.26%	1.49%	+0.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20%	2.04%	+1.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.88%	2.85%	+4.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.42%	2.85%	+5.57%

UAPR vs. PMJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

UAPR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than PMJA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

UAPR vs. PMJA - Dividend Comparison

Neither UAPR nor PMJA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PMJA PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UAPR Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UAPR and PMJA in my portfolio?

UAPR and PMJA have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UAPR or PMJA?

UAPR has higher volatility (0.78%) compared to PMJA (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UAPR dropped -14.61% vs PMJA's -2.98%.

Which ETF is better, UAPR or PMJA?

On 1-year performance, UAPR leads with 14.02% vs 7.69% for PMJA. On fees, PMJA is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PMJA has been the lower-risk option at 0.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UAPR or PMJA?

Over the 1-year period, UAPR has performed better with a 14.02% return vs 7.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UAPR or PMJA?

PMJA is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for UAPR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UAPR or PMJA?

UAPR and PMJA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between UAPR and PMJA?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.40 vs 3.80), 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.