XBJA vs. UXJA

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

XBJA (Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - January) and UXJA (FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XBJA returned 12.24% vs 24.80% for UXJA. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. XBJA charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for UXJA.

Performance

XBJA vs. UXJA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - January (XBJA) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January (UXJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XBJA achieves a 7.34% return, which is significantly lower than UXJA's 14.32% return.

XBJA

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 1.54%
• 6M: 6.69%
• YTD: 7.34%
• 1Y: 12.24%
• 3Y*: 11.59%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.37%

UXJA

• 1D: 2.20%
• 1M: 4.00%
• 6M: 12.94%
• YTD: 14.32%
• 1Y: 24.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.18%

*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)
UXJA FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January	$38.72K	$57.90K	$74.79K
XBJA Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - January	$109.00K	$114.05K	$252.46K

XBJA vs. UXJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XBJA Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - January	7.34%	9.77%
UXJA FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January	14.32%	14.47%

Correlation

The correlation between XBJA and UXJA is 0.90, 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.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2025	0.92

The correlation between XBJA and UXJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XBJA vs. UXJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

XBJA

XBJA Risk / Return Rank: 79
XBJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
XBJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
XBJA Omega Ratio Rank: 90
XBJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
XBJA Martin Ratio Rank: 85

UXJA

UXJA Risk / Return Rank: 64
UXJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
UXJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
UXJA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
UXJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
UXJA Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

XBJA vs. UXJA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - January (XBJA) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January (UXJA). 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.

	XBJA	UXJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	1.71	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	2.36	+0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.30	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	2.53	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.30	9.99	+3.31

XBJA vs. UXJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XBJA Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the UXJA Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XBJA and UXJA, 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

XBJA vs. UXJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XBJA drawdown since its inception was -17.42%, smaller than the maximum UXJA drawdown of -20.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XBJA and UXJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	XBJA	UXJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.42%	-20.01%	+2.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.33%	-9.83%	+4.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.57%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.04%	-2.89%	-0.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	2.49%	-1.57%

Volatility

XBJA vs. UXJA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - January (XBJA) is 1.44%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January (UXJA) has a volatility of 4.69%. This indicates that XBJA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UXJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XBJA	UXJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.44%	4.69%	-3.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.37%	11.39%	-6.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.99%	14.65%	-8.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.43%	18.42%	-6.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.43%	18.42%	-6.99%

XBJA vs. UXJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

XBJA has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than UXJA's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

XBJA vs. UXJA - Dividend Comparison

Neither XBJA nor UXJA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XBJA and UXJA in my portfolio?

XBJA and UXJA have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XBJA or UXJA?

UXJA has higher volatility (4.69%) compared to XBJA (1.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XBJA dropped -17.42% vs UXJA's -20.01%.

Which ETF is better, XBJA or UXJA?

On 1-year performance, UXJA leads with 24.80% vs 12.24% for XBJA. On fees, XBJA is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, XBJA has been the lower-risk option at 1.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XBJA or UXJA?

Over the 1-year period, UXJA has performed better with a 24.80% return vs 12.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XBJA or UXJA?

XBJA is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for UXJA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XBJA or UXJA?

XBJA and UXJA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between XBJA and UXJA?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XBJA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.71), 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.