Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2… (AJUL) Performance

Cboe BZX: AJULTotal returns, calendar years, drawdowns and risk since 2024.

AJUL total return

Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026
YTD
+4.3%
since Dec 31, 2025
1 year
+5.7%
total return
Since first price
+17.3%
since 2024

AJUL trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG

AJUL trailing returns
PeriodAJUL total returnPrice onlyS&P 500 (SPY)Nasdaq-100 (QQQ)U.S. bonds (AGG)
1 month+0.2%+0.2%−1.0%−5.0%+0.9%
3 months+1.3%+1.3%+3.2%+1.9%−0.4%
6 months+2.3%+2.3%+7.8%+8.4%−1.5%
YTD+4.3%+4.3%+12.3%+15.1%−1.0%
1 year+5.7%+5.7%+14.4%+15.9%−1.1%
Since inceptionJul 1, 2024+17.3%+17.3%———

Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.

Growth of $10,000: AJUL vs SPY

AJULS&P 500 (SPY)

From Jul 1, 2024: AJUL grew to $11,734, SPY to $14,301.

Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.

AJUL returns by calendar year

AJULSPY

1 of 1 full years positive. Best 2025 (+7.6%), worst 2025 (+7.6%). 2026 is year to date.

AJUL annual returns table

AJUL calendar-year returns
YearAJULLargest dropSPYQQQAGG
2026YTD+4.3%−2.2%+12.3%+15.1%−1.0%
2025+7.6%−6.1%+17.7%+20.8%+7.2%

Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.

Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year

Calendar-year returnLargest drop within the year

Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.

AJUL risk statistics

AJUL risk statistics
StatisticSince 2024
Annualized return+7.1%
Volatility (annualized)3.4%
Sharpe ratio0.85
Sortino ratio1.46
Best month+2.5%
Worst month−1.6%
Best 12 months+10.9%
Worst 12 months+5.6%
Positive months77%
Beta vs S&P 500—
Correlation with S&P 500—

From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.

AJUL rolling returns

AJUL rolling returns
Holding periodPeriodsWorstMedianBestPositive
1-year16+5.5%+7.4%+10.9%100%

Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2024. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.

AJUL performance overview

Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2… (AJUL) returned +5.7% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Jul 1, 2024 it has returned +17.3%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.

Related: AJUL chart. See the AJUL overview for the latest quote and fund facts.

AJUL performance FAQ

What is the AJUL return over the past year?

AJUL returned +5.7% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 5.7%.

How much would $10,000 invested in AJUL be worth?

$10,000 invested in AJUL at its first recorded close on July 1, 2024 would be worth about $11,734 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.

How volatile is AJUL?

Over the past history AJUL had an annualized volatility of 3.4% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.85 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).