BAUG vs. LOUP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August) and LOUP (Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BAUG is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August, while LOUP is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Deepwater Frontier Tech Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BAUG returned 11.16%/yr vs 12.98%/yr for LOUP. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BAUG charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for LOUP.

Performance

BAUG vs. LOUP - 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 Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BAUG achieves a 6.52% return, which is significantly lower than LOUP's 28.21% return.

BAUG

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 2.35%
• YTD: 6.52%
• 6M: 7.11%
• 1Y: 19.72%
• 3Y*: 17.93%
• 5Y*: 11.16%
• 10Y*: —

LOUP

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: 18.57%
• YTD: 28.21%
• 6M: 26.83%
• 1Y: 75.49%
• 3Y*: 37.37%
• 5Y*: 12.98%
• 10Y*: —

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

BAUG vs. LOUP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	6.52%	14.81%	21.15%	20.11%	-10.30%	12.06%	12.20%	6.33%
LOUP Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF	28.21%	43.24%	21.80%	51.31%	-46.00%	7.54%	86.25%	12.07%

Correlation

The correlation between BAUG and LOUP is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 2, 2019	0.78

The correlation between BAUG and LOUP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

BAUG vs. LOUP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BAUG	LOUP
Technology	36.2%	51.0%
Financial Services	11.9%	4.5%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	5.5%
Healthcare	8.4%	2.7%
Industrials	8.1%	20.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	2.9%
Utilities	2.3%	2.8%
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

BAUG vs. LOUP — Risk / Return Rank

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

BAUG

BAUG Risk / Return Rank: 80
BAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
BAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
BAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 83
BAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
BAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 85

LOUP

LOUP Risk / Return Rank: 71
LOUP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
LOUP Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
LOUP Omega Ratio Rank: 67
LOUP Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
LOUP Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. LOUP - 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 Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP). 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.

	BAUG	LOUP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	2.66	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	3.21	+0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.41	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.50	3.61	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.76	12.23	+5.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BAUG vs. LOUP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the LOUP Sharpe Ratio of 2.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAUG and LOUP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BAUG	LOUP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	2.66	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96	0.40	+0.56
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.59	+0.25

Drawdowns

BAUG vs. LOUP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAUG drawdown since its inception was -24.19%, smaller than the maximum LOUP drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAUG and LOUP.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAUG	LOUP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.19%	-58.68%	+34.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.66%	-21.00%	+15.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.78%	-35.23%	+21.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.59%	-55.63%	+40.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	-1.87%	+1.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.84%	-20.04%	+17.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.11%	6.19%	-5.08%

Volatility

BAUG vs. LOUP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (BAUG) is 1.00%, while Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP) has a volatility of 8.23%. This indicates that BAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LOUP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BAUG	LOUP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.00%	8.23%	-7.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.83%	21.94%	-16.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.79%	28.51%	-20.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.70%	32.38%	-20.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.95%	31.96%	-18.01%

BAUG vs. LOUP - Expense Ratio Comparison

BAUG has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than LOUP's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

BAUG vs. LOUP - Dividend Comparison

Neither BAUG nor LOUP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAUG and LOUP in my portfolio?

BAUG and LOUP have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BAUG or LOUP?

LOUP has higher volatility (8.23%) compared to BAUG (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAUG dropped -24.19% vs LOUP's -58.68%.

Which ETF is better, BAUG or LOUP?

On 5-year performance, LOUP leads with 12.98% vs 11.16% for BAUG. On fees, LOUP is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, BAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BAUG or LOUP?

Over the 5-year period, LOUP has performed better with a 12.98% return vs 11.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BAUG or LOUP?

LOUP is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BAUG.

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

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

What is the main difference between BAUG and LOUP?

BAUG is categorized as Defined Outcome, while LOUP is Technology Equities. BAUG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August, while LOUP tracks Deepwater Frontier Tech Index. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BAUG and 0.70% for LOUP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LOUP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 2.55), 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.