APRB vs. PAUG

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

APRB (Aptus April Buffer ETF) and PAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August) are both Defined Outcome funds. APRB is actively managed, while PAUG is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. APRB charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for PAUG.

Performance

APRB vs. PAUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aptus April Buffer ETF (APRB) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APRB achieves a 5.78% return, which is significantly lower than PAUG's 6.31% return.

APRB

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 0.71%
• 6M: 4.72%
• YTD: 5.78%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

PAUG

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.68%
• 6M: 5.51%
• YTD: 6.31%
• 1Y: 12.31%
• 3Y*: 12.66%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.18%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
APRB Aptus April Buffer ETF	$24.58K	$46.66K	$43.31K
PAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August	$6.19M	$3.99M	$2.40M

APRB vs. PAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
APRB Aptus April Buffer ETF	5.78%	2.48%
PAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August	6.31%	2.11%

Correlation

The correlation between APRB and PAUG is 0.90, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2025	0.90

Return for Risk

APRB vs. PAUG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

APRB

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

PAUG

PAUG Risk / Return Rank: 89
PAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
PAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

APRB vs. PAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aptus April Buffer ETF (APRB) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	APRB	PAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.15	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.21	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.46	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.90	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	15.87	—

Drawdowns

APRB vs. PAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APRB drawdown since its inception was -4.59%, smaller than the maximum PAUG drawdown of -17.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APRB and PAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	APRB	PAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.59%	-17.88%	+13.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-3.96%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.45%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-11.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.65%	-1.78%	+1.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.72%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	APRB	PAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.36%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	4.03%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.72%	5.32%	+0.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.72%	8.72%	-3.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.72%	10.49%	-4.77%

APRB vs. PAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

APRB has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than PAUG's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

APRB vs. PAUG - Dividend Comparison

Neither APRB nor PAUG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
APRB Aptus April Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APRB and PAUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, APRB and PAUG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, APRB or PAUG?

On fees, APRB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, APRB or PAUG?

APRB is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for PAUG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, APRB or PAUG?

APRB and PAUG have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between APRB and PAUG?

They also come from different issuers: Aptus and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for APRB and 0.79% for PAUG.