LJAN vs PBJL
Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - January vs PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - July
Which is better, LJAN or PBJL?
PBJL has been ahead.
PBJL has a lower expense ratio. PBJL 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 | PBJL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $12M | $75M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.91% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 19 | 14 |
| YTD Return | +0.71% | +6.85%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.12% | +9.12%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.8%Best | 4.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.9%Best | -9.0% |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $10,041 | $12,758Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jan 2, 2024 | May 8, 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 8, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.4 years).
LJAN vs PBJL 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 PBJL Performance
Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - January (LJAN) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - July (PBJL) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year LJAN returned +0.12% while PBJL returned +9.12%. Year to date, LJAN is up 0.71% versus a gain of 6.85% for PBJL.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PBJL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.9% 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 -9.0% for PBJL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LJAN charges 0.79% per year while PBJL 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 PBJL.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LJAN and PBJL 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 PBJL?
LJAN has an expense ratio of 0.79% while PBJL charges 0.50%. PBJL is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LJAN or PBJL?
Over the past year LJAN returned +0.12% vs +9.12% for PBJL, so PBJL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), LJAN annualized +0.17% vs +10.68% for PBJL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LJAN or PBJL?
PBJL has been the more volatile fund at 4.9% annualized versus 1.8% for LJAN. Worst drawdown: LJAN -5.9% vs PBJL -9.0%.
Should I hold both LJAN and PBJL?
LJAN and PBJL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 PBJL?
LJAN yields 4.91% while PBJL yields 0.00%, so LJAN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PBJL better than LJAN?
PBJL has a lower expense ratio. PBJL 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.