BSTP vs. UGA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BSTP (Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - BSTP is a Options Trading fund tracking the S&P 500, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BSTP returned 13.39%/yr vs 18.95%/yr for UGA. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BSTP charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.

Performance

BSTP vs. UGA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSTP achieves a 4.83% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 64.09% return.

BSTP

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: -0.49%
• YTD: 4.83%
• 6M: 4.35%
• 1Y: 14.54%
• 3Y*: 13.39%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UGA

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: -12.11%
• YTD: 64.09%
• 6M: 60.42%
• 1Y: 59.74%
• 3Y*: 18.95%
• 5Y*: 22.69%
• 10Y*: 14.31%

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

BSTP vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BSTP Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF	4.83%	11.80%	16.70%	18.14%	-5.05%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	64.09%	-2.00%	3.77%	1.27%	-4.75%

Correlation

The correlation between BSTP and UGA is -0.23, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2022	0.04

The correlation between BSTP and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.23 (1 year) to 0.04 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BSTP vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSTP

BSTP Risk / Return Rank: 58
BSTP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
BSTP Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
BSTP Omega Ratio Rank: 60
BSTP Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
BSTP Martin Ratio Rank: 66

UGA

UGA Risk / Return Rank: 55
UGA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
UGA Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
UGA Omega Ratio Rank: 49
UGA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
UGA Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

BSTP vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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.

	BSTP	UGA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	1.73	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	2.25	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.30	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	3.17	-0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.17	9.39	+1.78

BSTP vs. UGA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSTP Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the UGA Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSTP and UGA, 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

BSTP vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSTP drawdown since its inception was -16.69%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSTP and UGA.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSTP	UGA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.69%	-86.59%	+69.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.23%	-18.96%	+12.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.69%	-26.68%	+12.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.48%	-18.05%	+16.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.49%	-36.69%	+33.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.31%	6.43%	-5.12%

Volatility

BSTP vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP) is 2.92%, while United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) has a volatility of 9.24%. This indicates that BSTP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSTP	UGA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	9.24%	-6.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.61%	30.57%	-23.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.30%	35.22%	-26.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.10%	34.45%	-22.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.10%	37.22%	-25.12%

BSTP vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSTP has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSTP vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison

Neither BSTP nor UGA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSTP and UGA in my portfolio?

BSTP and UGA have a correlation of -0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSTP or UGA?

UGA has higher volatility (9.24%) compared to BSTP (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSTP dropped -16.69% vs UGA's -86.59%.

Which ETF is better, BSTP or UGA?

On 3-year performance, UGA leads with 18.95% vs 13.39% for BSTP. On fees, UGA is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, BSTP has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BSTP or UGA?

Over the 3-year period, UGA has performed better with a 18.95% return vs 13.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BSTP or UGA?

UGA is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BSTP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BSTP or UGA?

BSTP and UGA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BSTP and UGA?

BSTP is categorized as Options Trading, while UGA is Oil & Gas. BSTP tracks S&P 500, while UGA tracks Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for BSTP and 0.75% for UGA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BSTP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.73), 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.