BJUL vs SPY
Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - July vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, BJUL or SPY?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | BJUL | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $355M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 12 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +9.92% | +13.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.47% | +16.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.25% | +22.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.06% | +13.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.0%Best | 16.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.0%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,671 | $19,027Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 28, 2018 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 29, 2018 to Sep 21, 2026 (8.1 years).
BJUL vs SPY 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 covers the 8.1 years both funds cover.
BJUL vs SPY Performance
Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - July (BJUL) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year BJUL returned +12.47% while SPY returned +16.96%. Year to date, BJUL is up 9.92% versus a gain of 13.82% for SPY.
Over three years, BJUL compounded at +17.25% per year against +22.97% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +12.06% and +13.73% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.91% annualized vs +10.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.8% compared with 11.0% for BJUL. 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 -24.0% for BJUL and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BJUL charges 0.79% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $9 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BJUL currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BJUL and SPY 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, BJUL or SPY?
BJUL has an expense ratio of 0.79% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BJUL or SPY?
Over the past year BJUL returned +12.47% vs +16.96% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), BJUL annualized +10.14% vs +13.91% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BJUL or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 16.8% annualized versus 11.0% for BJUL. Worst drawdown: BJUL -24.0% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both BJUL and SPY?
BJUL and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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, BJUL or SPY?
BJUL yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than BJUL?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.