UXJL vs. UDEC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UXJL (FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July) and UDEC (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December) are both Defined Outcome funds. UXJL is actively managed, while UDEC is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. UXJL charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for UDEC.

Performance

UXJL vs. UDEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July (UXJL) and Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December (UDEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UXJL achieves a 11.78% return, which is significantly higher than UDEC's 5.14% return.

UXJL

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 6.02%
• YTD: 11.78%
• 6M: 11.50%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UDEC

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.11%
• YTD: 5.14%
• 6M: 5.49%
• 1Y: 17.31%
• 3Y*: 12.44%
• 5Y*: 7.26%
• 10Y*: —

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

UXJL vs. UDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
UXJL FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July	11.78%	9.31%
UDEC Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December	5.14%	7.75%

Correlation

The correlation between UXJL and UDEC is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2025	0.94

Return for Risk

UXJL vs. UDEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

UDEC

UDEC Risk / Return Rank: 84
UDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
UDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
UDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 86
UDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
UDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

UXJL vs. UDEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July (UXJL) and Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - December (UDEC). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	UXJL	UDEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.02	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.87	0.91	+0.95

Drawdowns

UXJL vs. UDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UXJL drawdown since its inception was -10.29%, smaller than the maximum UDEC drawdown of -13.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UXJL and UDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	UXJL	UDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.29%	-13.37%	+3.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-4.44%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-8.94%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	-0.15%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.51%	-2.16%	+0.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.91%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	UXJL	UDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.93%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	4.27%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.90%	6.53%	+7.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.90%	7.18%	+6.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.90%	8.02%	+5.88%

UXJL vs. UDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

UXJL has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than UDEC's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

UXJL vs. UDEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither UXJL nor UDEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UXJL and UDEC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, UXJL and UDEC 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 ETF is better, UXJL or UDEC?

On fees, UDEC is cheaper at 0.79% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, UXJL or UDEC?

UDEC is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for UXJL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UXJL or UDEC?

UXJL and UDEC have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between UXJL and UDEC?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for UXJL and 0.79% for UDEC.