XIJN vs. PQJA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XIJN (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - June) and PQJA (PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XIJN returned 7.42% vs 22.65% for PQJA. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XIJN charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PQJA.

Performance

XIJN vs. PQJA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - June (XIJN) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XIJN achieves a 2.49% return, which is significantly lower than PQJA's 8.72% return.

XIJN

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 2.49%
• 6M: 3.12%
• 1Y: 7.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PQJA

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 3.19%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 6M: 10.05%
• 1Y: 22.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XIJN vs. PQJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XIJN FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - June	2.49%	7.45%
PQJA PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January	8.72%	16.94%

Correlation

The correlation between XIJN and PQJA is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.73

The correlation between XIJN and PQJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XIJN vs. PQJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

XIJN

XIJN Risk / Return Rank: 97
XIJN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
XIJN Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
XIJN Omega Ratio Rank: 98
XIJN Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
XIJN Martin Ratio Rank: 98

PQJA

PQJA Risk / Return Rank: 82
PQJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
PQJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PQJA Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PQJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PQJA Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

XIJN vs. PQJA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - June (XIJN) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA). 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.

	XIJN	PQJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.97	2.77	+1.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	7.19	3.93	+3.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.04	1.55	+0.49
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.95	3.36	+6.59
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	53.25	16.33	+36.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XIJN vs. PQJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XIJN Sharpe Ratio is 3.97, which is higher than the PQJA Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XIJN and PQJA, 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

	XIJN	PQJA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.97	2.77	+1.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.60	1.39	+0.21

Drawdowns

XIJN vs. PQJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XIJN drawdown since its inception was -4.65%, smaller than the maximum PQJA drawdown of -14.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XIJN and PQJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	XIJN	PQJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.65%	-14.72%	+10.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.75%	-6.77%	+6.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.09%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.15%	-1.65%	+1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.14%	1.39%	-1.25%

Volatility

XIJN vs. PQJA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - June (XIJN) is 0.20%, while PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA) has a volatility of 1.20%. This indicates that XIJN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PQJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XIJN	PQJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.20%	1.20%	-1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.25%	6.66%	-5.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88%	8.24%	-6.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.51%	13.42%	-8.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.51%	13.42%	-8.91%

XIJN vs. PQJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

XIJN has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PQJA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

XIJN vs. PQJA - Dividend Comparison

XIJN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.95%, while PQJA has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
PQJA PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January	0.00%	0.01%	0.00%
XIJN FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - June	6.95%	6.62%	2.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XIJN and PQJA in my portfolio?

XIJN and PQJA have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XIJN or PQJA?

PQJA has higher volatility (1.20%) compared to XIJN (0.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XIJN dropped -4.65% vs PQJA's -14.72%.

Which ETF is better, XIJN or PQJA?

On 1-year performance, PQJA leads with 22.65% vs 7.42% for XIJN. On fees, PQJA is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, XIJN has been the lower-risk option at 0.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XIJN or PQJA?

Over the 1-year period, PQJA has performed better with a 22.65% return vs 7.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XIJN or PQJA?

PQJA is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for XIJN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XIJN or PQJA?

XIJN has the higher dividend yield at 6.95%, compared with 0.00% for PQJA.

What is the main difference between XIJN and PQJA?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for XIJN and 0.50% for PQJA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XIJN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.97 vs 2.77), 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.