LJAN vs PBJA
Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - January vs PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - January
Which is better, LJAN or PBJA?
PBJA has been ahead.
PBJA has a lower expense ratio. PBJA 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 | LJAN | PBJA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $12M | $67M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.91% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 19 | 14 |
| YTD Return | +0.69% | +7.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.10% | +10.29%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.7%Best | 4.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.9%Best | -8.5% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $10,093 | $13,333Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jan 2, 2024 | Dec 29, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), 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 15, 2026 (2.8 years).
LJAN vs PBJA 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 PBJA Performance
Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - January (LJAN) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year LJAN returned +0.10% while PBJA returned +10.29%. Year to date, LJAN is up 0.69% versus a gain of 7.53% for PBJA.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PBJA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.3% compared with 1.7% 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 -8.5% for PBJA. 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
LJAN charges 0.79% per year while PBJA 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 PBJA.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LJAN and PBJA 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 PBJA?
LJAN has an expense ratio of 0.79% while PBJA charges 0.50%. PBJA is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LJAN or PBJA?
Over the past year LJAN returned +0.10% vs +10.29% for PBJA, so PBJA leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LJAN or PBJA?
PBJA has been the more volatile fund at 4.3% annualized versus 1.7% for LJAN. Worst drawdown: LJAN -5.9% vs PBJA -8.5%.
Should I hold both LJAN and PBJA?
LJAN and PBJA 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, LJAN or PBJA?
LJAN yields 4.91% while PBJA yields 0.00%, so LJAN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PBJA better than LJAN?
PBJA has a lower expense ratio. PBJA 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.