BNOV vs. BAUG

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BNOV (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November) and BAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - BNOV tracks the S&P 500 Price Return Index while BAUG tracks the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BNOV returned 8.55%/yr vs 11.12%/yr for BAUG. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

BNOV vs. BAUG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BNOV achieves a 7.27% return, which is significantly higher than BAUG's 6.74% return.

BNOV

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 7.27%
• 6M: 7.06%
• 1Y: 19.03%
• 3Y*: 12.80%
• 5Y*: 8.55%
• 10Y*: —

BAUG

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.78%
• YTD: 6.74%
• 6M: 6.65%
• 1Y: 19.96%
• 3Y*: 17.58%
• 5Y*: 11.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

BNOV vs. BAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BNOV Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November	7.27%	13.23%	12.49%	17.24%	-9.63%	10.61%	11.82%	4.07%
BAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	6.74%	14.81%	21.15%	20.11%	-10.30%	12.06%	12.20%	4.25%

Correlation

The correlation between BNOV and BAUG is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2019	0.92

The correlation between BNOV and BAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

BNOV vs. BAUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BNOV	BAUG
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

BNOV vs. BAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

BNOV

BNOV Risk / Return Rank: 71
BNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
BNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
BNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 77
BNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
BNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 74

BAUG

BAUG Risk / Return Rank: 84
BAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
BAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 87
BAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
BAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

BNOV vs. BAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	BNOV	BAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	2.60	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	3.75	-0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.51	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.91	3.54	-0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.45	17.94	-4.48

BNOV vs. BAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BNOV Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the BAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BNOV and BAUG, 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

BNOV vs. BAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BNOV drawdown since its inception was -24.66%, roughly equal to the maximum BAUG drawdown of -24.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNOV and BAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	BNOV	BAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.66%	-24.19%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.57%	-5.66%	-0.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.70%	-13.78%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.27%	-15.59%	-0.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-0.16%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-2.83%	-0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.42%	1.12%	+0.30%

Volatility

BNOV vs. BAUG - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November (BNOV) has a higher volatility of 2.93% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (BAUG) at 1.70%. This indicates that BNOV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BAUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BNOV	BAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	1.70%	+1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.02%	5.95%	+1.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.64%	7.72%	+0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.88%	11.73%	+0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.03%	13.91%	+0.12%

BNOV vs. BAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

BNOV vs. BAUG - Dividend Comparison

Neither BNOV nor BAUG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BNOV and BAUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, BNOV and BAUG 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, BNOV or BAUG?

BNOV has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to BAUG (1.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNOV dropped -24.66% vs BAUG's -24.19%.

Which ETF is better, BNOV or BAUG?

On 5-year performance, BAUG leads with 11.12% vs 8.55% for BNOV. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, BAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BNOV or BAUG?

Over the 5-year period, BAUG has performed better with a 11.12% return vs 8.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BNOV or BAUG?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between BNOV and BAUG?

BNOV tracks S&P 500 Price Return Index, while BAUG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 2.22), 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.