UJAN vs. VTI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

UJAN (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - January) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UJAN is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UJAN returned 7.95%/yr vs 11.74%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. UJAN charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

UJAN vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - January (UJAN) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UJAN achieves a 5.46% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 10.49% return.

UJAN

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 0.68%
• 6M: 4.75%
• YTD: 5.46%
• 1Y: 12.18%
• 3Y*: 11.34%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.25%

VTI

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -0.15%
• 6M: 8.77%
• YTD: 10.49%
• 1Y: 21.84%
• 3Y*: 18.92%
• 5Y*: 11.74%
• 10Y*: 14.63%
• ALL TIME*: 9.58%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
UJAN Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - January	$1.24M	$3.73M	$2.00M
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.06B	$1.16B	$1.24B

UJAN vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
UJAN Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - January	5.46%	11.07%	13.13%	15.89%	-5.95%	5.79%	7.37%	11.15%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	10.49%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%

Correlation

The correlation between UJAN and VTI is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2019	0.87

The correlation between UJAN and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

UJAN vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UJAN	VTI
Technology	37.9%	36.1%
Financial Services	11.7%	11.8%
Communication Services	10.0%	9.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	9.4%
Healthcare	9.1%	9.7%
Industrials	8.4%	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.3%
Energy	3.0%	3.2%
Utilities	2.3%	2.2%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.3%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.9%

Return for Risk

UJAN vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

UJAN

UJAN Risk / Return Rank: 87
UJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
UJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
UJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 90
UJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
UJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 67
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

UJAN vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - January (UJAN) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	UJAN	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.52	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	2.12	+0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.27	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	2.23	+0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.78	9.62	+5.16

UJAN vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UJAN Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is higher than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UJAN and VTI, 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

UJAN vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UJAN drawdown since its inception was -13.69%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UJAN and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	UJAN	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.69%	-55.45%	+41.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.98%	-8.92%	+4.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.03%	-19.30%	+10.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.03%	-25.36%	+16.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.36%	+1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.54%	-7.99%	+6.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	2.07%	-1.30%

Volatility

UJAN vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - January (UJAN) is 1.47%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 3.46%. This indicates that UJAN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UJAN	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.47%	3.46%	-1.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.43%	10.24%	-5.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.39%	13.10%	-7.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.39%	17.51%	-11.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.06%	18.30%	-11.24%

UJAN vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

UJAN has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

UJAN vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

UJAN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UJAN Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - January	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.06%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UJAN and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, UJAN and VTI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, UJAN or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (3.46%) compared to UJAN (1.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UJAN dropped -13.69% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, UJAN or VTI?

On 5-year performance, VTI leads with 11.74% vs 7.95% for UJAN. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, UJAN has been the lower-risk option at 1.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UJAN or VTI?

Over the 5-year period, VTI has performed better with a 11.74% return vs 7.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UJAN or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for UJAN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UJAN or VTI?

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.06%, compared with 0.00% for UJAN.

What is the main difference between UJAN and VTI?

UJAN is categorized as Defined Outcome, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. UJAN tracks S&P 500 Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for UJAN and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UJAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.52), 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.