BAUG vs. BSEP

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August) and BSEP (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - BAUG tracks the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August while BSEP tracks the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BAUG returned 11.00%/yr vs 10.46%/yr for BSEP. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

BAUG vs. BSEP - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with BAUG having a 6.20% return and BSEP slightly lower at 6.18%.

BAUG

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 6.20%
• 6M: 5.84%
• 1Y: 18.42%
• 3Y*: 17.38%
• 5Y*: 11.00%
• 10Y*: —

BSEP

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 6.18%
• 6M: 5.70%
• 1Y: 18.44%
• 3Y*: 15.76%
• 5Y*: 10.46%
• 10Y*: —

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

BAUG vs. BSEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	6.20%	14.81%	21.15%	20.11%	-10.30%	12.06%	12.20%	7.16%
BSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	6.18%	14.80%	16.96%	20.94%	-9.20%	14.64%	12.44%	6.84%

Correlation

The correlation between BAUG and BSEP is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 3, 2019	0.93

The correlation between BAUG and BSEP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

BAUG vs. BSEP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BAUG	BSEP
Technology	38.4%	38.4%
Financial Services	11.0%	11.0%
Communication Services	10.8%	10.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	10.0%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	7.9%	7.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.6%
Energy	3.2%	3.2%
Utilities	2.1%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.7%

Return for Risk

BAUG vs. BSEP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BAUG

BAUG Risk / Return Rank: 81
BAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
BAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
BAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 85
BAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
BAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 85

BSEP

BSEP Risk / Return Rank: 81
BSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
BSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
BSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 85

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BAUG vs. BSEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (BAUG) and Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (BSEP). 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.

	BAUG	BSEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.38	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	3.40	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.46	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	3.25	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.54	16.09	+0.45

BAUG vs. BSEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the BSEP Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAUG and BSEP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BAUG vs. BSEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAUG drawdown since its inception was -24.19%, roughly equal to the maximum BSEP drawdown of -23.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAUG and BSEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAUG	BSEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.19%	-23.98%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.66%	-5.70%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.78%	-13.36%	-0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.59%	-15.02%	-0.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-0.80%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.83%	-2.73%	-0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.12%	1.15%	-0.03%

Volatility

BAUG vs. BSEP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (BAUG) is 1.78%, while Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (BSEP) has a volatility of 1.96%. This indicates that BAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BSEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BAUG	BSEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.78%	1.96%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.97%	5.99%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.73%	7.83%	-0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.73%	11.64%	+0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.91%	13.73%	+0.18%

BAUG vs. BSEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BAUG and BSEP have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

BAUG vs. BSEP - Dividend Comparison

Neither BAUG nor BSEP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAUG and BSEP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, BAUG and BSEP 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 is riskier, BAUG or BSEP?

BSEP has higher volatility (1.96%) compared to BAUG (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAUG dropped -24.19% vs BSEP's -23.98%.

Which ETF is better, BAUG or BSEP?

On 5-year performance, BAUG leads with 11.00% vs 10.46% for BSEP. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, BAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BAUG or BSEP?

Over the 5-year period, BAUG has performed better with a 11.00% return vs 10.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BAUG or BSEP?

BAUG and BSEP have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BAUG or BSEP?

BAUG and BSEP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BAUG and BSEP?

BAUG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August, while BSEP tracks S&P 500 Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 2.38), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.