LJAN vs PBAU
Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - January vs PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August
Which is better, LJAN or PBAU?
PBAU has been ahead.
PBAU has a lower expense ratio. PBAU led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | LJAN | PBAU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $12M | $40M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.91% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 19 | 8 |
| YTD Return | +0.71% | +7.58%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.12% | +9.92%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.8%Best | 4.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.9%Best | -8.9% |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $10,034 | $12,830Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jan 2, 2024 | May 10, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.4 years).
LJAN vs PBAU 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
LJAN vs PBAU Performance
Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - January (LJAN) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August (PBAU) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year LJAN returned +0.12% while PBAU returned +9.92%. Year to date, LJAN is up 0.71% versus a gain of 7.58% for PBAU.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PBAU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.7% compared with 1.8% for LJAN. 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 -5.9% for LJAN and -8.9% for PBAU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LJAN charges 0.79% per year while PBAU charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $50 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LJAN currently yields 4.91% against 0.00% for PBAU.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LJAN and PBAU 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, LJAN or PBAU?
LJAN has an expense ratio of 0.79% while PBAU charges 0.50%. PBAU is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LJAN or PBAU?
Over the past year LJAN returned +0.12% vs +9.92% for PBAU, so PBAU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), LJAN annualized +0.14% vs +10.94% for PBAU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LJAN or PBAU?
PBAU has been the more volatile fund at 4.7% annualized versus 1.8% for LJAN. Worst drawdown: LJAN -5.9% vs PBAU -8.9%.
Should I hold both LJAN and PBAU?
LJAN and PBAU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, LJAN or PBAU?
LJAN yields 4.91% while PBAU yields 0.00%, so LJAN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PBAU better than LJAN?
PBAU has a lower expense ratio. PBAU led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.