AJAN vs BSEP
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to January 2028 vs Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, AJAN or BSEP?
BSEP has been ahead.
BSEP led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AJAN | BSEP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79%Tie | 0.79%Tie |
| AUM | $42M | $470M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 15 | 1,520 |
| YTD Return | +2.93% | +10.32%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.37% | +13.43%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.86% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.29% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.7%Best | 7.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.1%Best | -13.4% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $11,800 | $14,938Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jan 2, 2024 | Aug 30, 2019 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 2, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.8 years).
AJAN vs BSEP growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.8 years both funds cover.
AJAN vs BSEP Performance
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to January 2028 (AJAN) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (BSEP) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year AJAN returned +4.37% while BSEP returned +13.43%. Year to date, AJAN is up 2.93% versus a gain of 10.32% for BSEP.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BSEP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.5% compared with 2.7% for AJAN. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -4.1% for AJAN and -13.4% for BSEP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AJAN charges 0.79% per year while BSEP charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $79 annually. On income, AJAN currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for BSEP.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AJAN and BSEP you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AJAN or BSEP?
AJAN has an expense ratio of 0.79% while BSEP charges 0.79%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, AJAN or BSEP?
Over the past year AJAN returned +4.37% vs +13.43% for BSEP, so BSEP leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AJAN or BSEP?
BSEP has been the more volatile fund at 7.5% annualized versus 2.7% for AJAN. Worst drawdown: AJAN -4.1% vs BSEP -13.4%.
Should I hold both AJAN and BSEP?
AJAN and BSEP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AJAN or BSEP?
AJAN yields 0.00% while BSEP yields 0.00%, so BSEP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is BSEP better than AJAN?
BSEP led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.