ZAUG vs. PJUL

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

ZAUG (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August) and PJUL (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. ZAUG is actively managed, while PJUL is passively managed. Over the past year, ZAUG returned 7.06% vs 13.29% for PJUL. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

ZAUG vs. PJUL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August (ZAUG) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July (PJUL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZAUG achieves a 2.83% return, which is significantly lower than PJUL's 4.91% return.

ZAUG

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 2.83%
• 6M: 2.75%
• 1Y: 7.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PJUL

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 4.91%
• 6M: 4.60%
• 1Y: 13.29%
• 3Y*: 13.28%
• 5Y*: 10.45%
• 10Y*: —

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

ZAUG vs. PJUL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ZAUG Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August	2.83%	7.38%	3.02%
PJUL Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July	4.91%	12.78%	5.03%

Correlation

The correlation between ZAUG and PJUL is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2024	0.84

The correlation between ZAUG and PJUL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZAUG vs. PJUL — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZAUG

ZAUG Risk / Return Rank: 93
ZAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ZAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
ZAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 95
ZAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
ZAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 94

PJUL

PJUL Risk / Return Rank: 89
PJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
PJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 93
PJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
PJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

ZAUG vs. PJUL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August (ZAUG) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July (PJUL). 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.

	ZAUG	PJUL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	2.67	+0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.85	4.00	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.57	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.12	3.66	+0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.96	20.61	+3.34

ZAUG vs. PJUL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZAUG Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is comparable to the PJUL Sharpe Ratio of 2.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZAUG and PJUL, 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

ZAUG vs. PJUL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZAUG drawdown since its inception was -4.83%, smaller than the maximum PJUL drawdown of -18.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZAUG and PJUL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZAUG	PJUL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.83%	-18.17%	+13.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.72%	-3.64%	+1.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.69%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-0.04%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.41%	-1.46%	+1.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	0.65%	-0.35%

Volatility

ZAUG vs. PJUL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August (ZAUG) is 0.58%, while Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July (PJUL) has a volatility of 0.66%. This indicates that ZAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PJUL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZAUG	PJUL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.58%	0.66%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.86%	3.85%	-1.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34%	5.09%	-2.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.54%	8.61%	-4.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.54%	10.00%	-5.46%

ZAUG vs. PJUL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ZAUG and PJUL have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

ZAUG vs. PJUL - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZAUG nor PJUL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PJUL Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.82%
ZAUG Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZAUG and PJUL in my portfolio?

ZAUG and PJUL have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZAUG or PJUL?

PJUL has higher volatility (0.66%) compared to ZAUG (0.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZAUG dropped -4.83% vs PJUL's -18.17%.

Which ETF is better, ZAUG or PJUL?

On 1-year performance, PJUL leads with 13.29% vs 7.06% for ZAUG. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZAUG or PJUL?

Over the 1-year period, PJUL has performed better with a 13.29% return vs 7.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZAUG or PJUL?

ZAUG and PJUL have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZAUG or PJUL?

ZAUG and PJUL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 2.67), 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.