XTJA vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XTJA (Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - January) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XTJA is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. XTJA is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XTJA returned 14.16%/yr vs 20.68%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XTJA charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

XTJA vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - January (XTJA) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XTJA achieves a 6.57% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return.

XTJA

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 6.57%
• 6M: 6.64%
• 1Y: 17.13%
• 3Y*: 14.16%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

XTJA vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XTJA Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - January	6.57%	13.86%	15.25%	22.33%	-20.72%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%

Correlation

The correlation between XTJA and SPY is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2022	0.94

The correlation between XTJA and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XTJA vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

XTJA

XTJA Risk / Return Rank: 70
XTJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
XTJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
XTJA Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XTJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
XTJA Martin Ratio Rank: 74

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

XTJA vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - January (XTJA) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	XTJA	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	1.90	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	2.58	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.34	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	2.67	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.57	11.92	+0.65

XTJA vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XTJA Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XTJA and SPY, 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

XTJA vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XTJA drawdown since its inception was -26.17%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTJA and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	XTJA	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.17%	-55.19%	+29.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.62%	-8.88%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.94%	-18.76%	+0.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-3.17%	+2.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.19%	-9.04%	+2.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	1.98%	-0.61%

Volatility

XTJA vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - January (XTJA) is 2.28%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that XTJA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XTJA	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.28%	4.87%	-2.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.61%	9.85%	-2.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.46%	12.50%	-4.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.00%	17.15%	-1.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.00%	17.95%	-1.95%

XTJA vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

XTJA has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

XTJA vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

XTJA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
XTJA Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus 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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XTJA and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, XTJA and SPY 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, XTJA or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to XTJA (2.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTJA dropped -26.17% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, XTJA or SPY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 20.68% vs 14.16% for XTJA. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, XTJA has been the lower-risk option at 2.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XTJA or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 20.68% return vs 14.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XTJA or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for XTJA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XTJA or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for XTJA.

What is the main difference between XTJA and SPY?

XTJA is categorized as Options Trading, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for XTJA and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XTJA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.90), 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.