XJUL vs. ISWN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XJUL (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - July) and ISWN (Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF) are both Options Trading funds. XJUL is actively managed, while ISWN is passively managed. Over the past year, XJUL returned 10.57% vs 13.27% for ISWN. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XJUL charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for ISWN.

Performance

XJUL vs. ISWN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - July (XJUL) and Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF (ISWN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XJUL achieves a 3.67% return, which is significantly lower than ISWN's 4.28% return.

XJUL

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.91%
• YTD: 3.67%
• 6M: 4.43%
• 1Y: 10.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ISWN

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 4.28%
• 6M: 4.94%
• 1Y: 13.27%
• 3Y*: 8.12%
• 5Y*: -0.37%
• 10Y*: —

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

XJUL vs. ISWN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
XJUL FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - July	3.67%	10.19%	10.58%	4.06%
ISWN Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF	4.28%	23.23%	-3.96%	1.98%

Correlation

The correlation between XJUL and ISWN is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2023	0.51

The correlation between XJUL and ISWN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XJUL vs. ISWN — Risk / Return Rank

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

XJUL

XJUL Risk / Return Rank: 84
XJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
XJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
XJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 88
XJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
XJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 91

ISWN

ISWN Risk / Return Rank: 30
ISWN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
ISWN Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
ISWN Omega Ratio Rank: 30
ISWN Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
ISWN Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

XJUL vs. ISWN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - July (XJUL) and Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF (ISWN). 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.

	XJUL	ISWN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	1.09	+1.42
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	1.60	+2.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.20	+0.35
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.85	1.38	+2.46
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.87	4.67	+16.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XJUL vs. ISWN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XJUL Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is higher than the ISWN Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XJUL and ISWN, 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

	XJUL	ISWN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	1.09	+1.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.44	0.01	+1.43

Drawdowns

XJUL vs. ISWN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XJUL drawdown since its inception was -9.10%, smaller than the maximum ISWN drawdown of -32.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XJUL and ISWN.

Drawdown Indicators

	XJUL	ISWN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.10%	-32.35%	+23.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-9.63%	+6.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.77%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	-4.03%	+3.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.58%	-16.17%	+15.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.51%	2.85%	-2.34%

Volatility

XJUL vs. ISWN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - July (XJUL) is 0.32%, while Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF (ISWN) has a volatility of 4.67%. This indicates that XJUL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISWN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XJUL	ISWN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.32%	4.67%	-4.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.20%	10.10%	-6.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.23%	12.20%	-7.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.99%	11.67%	-4.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.99%	11.57%	-4.58%

XJUL vs. ISWN - Expense Ratio Comparison

XJUL has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than ISWN's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

XJUL vs. ISWN - Dividend Comparison

XJUL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ISWN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ISWN Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF	2.82%	2.89%	3.27%	2.91%	2.00%	0.76%
XJUL FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XJUL and ISWN in my portfolio?

XJUL and ISWN have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XJUL or ISWN?

ISWN has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to XJUL (0.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XJUL dropped -9.10% vs ISWN's -32.35%.

Which ETF is better, XJUL or ISWN?

On 1-year performance, ISWN leads with 13.27% vs 10.57% for XJUL. On fees, ISWN is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, XJUL has been the lower-risk option at 0.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XJUL or ISWN?

Over the 1-year period, ISWN has performed better with a 13.27% return vs 10.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XJUL or ISWN?

ISWN is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for XJUL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XJUL or ISWN?

ISWN has the higher dividend yield at 2.82%, compared with 0.00% for XJUL.

What is the main difference between XJUL and ISWN?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Amplify. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for XJUL and 0.49% for ISWN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XJUL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.09), 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.