Data as of .
UJUL vs ZJUL: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 UJUL can fall 7.3% before its buffer engages and ZJUL 1.5%.
These are two different products. ZJUL is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. UJUL is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.
Both are Innovator funds, so the difference between them is the terms rather than the house.
Where each one stands today
UJUL resets first, on Jun 30, 2027, 282 days from now; ZJUL runs to Jun 30, 2027, 282 days. UJUL can still gain 11.4% before its cap, ZJUL 6.9%. A fall from here reaches UJUL’s buffer after 7.3% and ZJUL’s after 1.5%. Both track SPY, so what separates them is where each is in its own period.
Every figure is ETFIQ’s own, from the issuer’s published outcome-period terms. A buffer ETF holds FLEX options on its reference index rather than shares, so there is no holdings overlap between two of them to report.
Performance, window by window
| Window | Total return | Gap to the reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UJUL | ZJUL | UJUL | ZJUL | |
| 3 months | +1.6% | +1.3% | −0.7 pts | −1.0 pts |
| 6 months | +7.9% | +4.2% | −10.1 pts | −13.8 pts |
| 1 year | +8.4% | +5.4% | −8.2 pts | −11.2 pts |
| 3 years | +43.2% | not published | −35.2 pts | not published |
| UJUL Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - Jul Absorbs losses from 5.0% to 35.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 14.2%, over a period ending Jun 30, 2027 | ZJUL Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr July Absorbs the whole loss on SPY and caps the gain at 8.4%, over a period ending Jun 30, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 5% to 35% | 100% |
| Outcome period | Jun 30, 2026 to Jun 30, 2027 | Jun 30, 2026 to Jun 30, 2027 |
| Days left | 282 | 282 |
| Starting cap | +14.2% | +8.4% |
| Can still gain | 11.4% | 6.9% |
| Fall before buffer | 7.3% | 1.5% |
| Protection left, index points | 30.0% of 30.0% | 100.0% of 100.0% |
| Index return this period | +3.6% | +3.6% |
| Fund return this period | +2.3% | +1.3% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $300m | $194m |
UJUL in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 11.4% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 7.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 8.3% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 30.0% of the 30.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 282 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Jun 30, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
ZJUL in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 6.9% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.5% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 3.5% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 100.0% of the 100.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, UJUL or ZJUL?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, UJUL can gain about 11.4% before its cap and ZJUL about 6.9%, so UJUL has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, UJUL or ZJUL?
- UJUL ends its outcome period on Jun 30, 2027 and ZJUL on Jun 30, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, UJUL or ZJUL?
- UJUL charges 0.79% a year and ZJUL charges 0.79%, so UJUL is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
Where these figures came from
ETFIQ links to the documents behind every figure. It is not affiliated with any issuer, and a link is not an endorsement.
Cite this page. ETFIQ, UJUL against ZJUL, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ujul-vs-zjul Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.