CGUS vs. PSEP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CGUS (Capital Group Core Equity ETF) and PSEP (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September) are both exchange-traded funds - CGUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Capital Group, while PSEP is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. CGUS is actively managed, while PSEP is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CGUS returned 22.34%/yr vs 13.16%/yr for PSEP. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CGUS charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for PSEP.

Performance

CGUS vs. PSEP - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CGUS achieves a 9.93% return, which is significantly higher than PSEP's 4.91% return.

CGUS

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 3.74%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 10.08%
• 1Y: 25.53%
• 3Y*: 22.34%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PSEP

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.67%
• YTD: 4.91%
• 6M: 5.58%
• 1Y: 14.71%
• 3Y*: 13.16%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: —

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

CGUS vs. PSEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
CGUS Capital Group Core Equity ETF	9.93%	16.21%	24.89%	27.72%	-7.94%
PSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September	4.91%	11.85%	12.44%	18.84%	0.34%

Correlation

The correlation between CGUS and PSEP is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 25, 2022	0.92

The correlation between CGUS and PSEP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

CGUS vs. PSEP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CGUS	PSEP
Technology	38.4%	36.2%
Financial Services	10.8%	11.9%
Communication Services	9.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	10.1%
Industrials	9.6%	8.1%
Healthcare	8.3%	8.4%
Energy	3.7%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	4.9%
Basic Materials	2.5%	1.8%
Real Estate	2.1%	1.9%
Utilities	1.7%	2.3%

Return for Risk

CGUS vs. PSEP — Risk / Return Rank

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

CGUS

CGUS Risk / Return Rank: 60
CGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
CGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
CGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 61
CGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
CGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 67

PSEP

PSEP Risk / Return Rank: 82
PSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
PSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
PSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 86
PSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

CGUS vs. PSEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Capital Group Core Equity ETF (CGUS) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September (PSEP). 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.

	CGUS	PSEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.59	-0.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	3.83	-1.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.53	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	3.62	-0.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.44	19.15	-6.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CGUS vs. PSEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the PSEP Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGUS and PSEP, 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

	CGUS	PSEP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	2.59	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.09	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.97	0.96	+0.01

Drawdowns

CGUS vs. PSEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGUS drawdown since its inception was -21.86%, which is greater than PSEP's maximum drawdown of -17.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGUS and PSEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGUS	PSEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.86%	-17.90%	-3.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.59%	-4.08%	-5.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.06%	-9.92%	-8.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.92%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.08%	-0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.65%	-1.56%	-3.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	0.77%	+1.29%

Volatility

CGUS vs. PSEP - Volatility Comparison

Capital Group Core Equity ETF (CGUS) has a higher volatility of 2.89% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September (PSEP) at 0.70%. This indicates that CGUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PSEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CGUS	PSEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.89%	0.70%	+2.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.46%	4.25%	+5.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.33%	5.71%	+6.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.38%	8.61%	+7.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.38%	10.12%	+6.26%

CGUS vs. PSEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGUS has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than PSEP's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

CGUS vs. PSEP - Dividend Comparison

CGUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, while PSEP has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
CGUS Capital Group Core Equity ETF	0.87%	0.95%	1.02%	1.22%	1.10%
PSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CGUS and PSEP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, CGUS and PSEP 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, CGUS or PSEP?

CGUS has higher volatility (2.89%) compared to PSEP (0.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGUS dropped -21.86% vs PSEP's -17.90%.

Which ETF is better, CGUS or PSEP?

On 3-year performance, CGUS leads with 22.34% vs 13.16% for PSEP. On fees, CGUS is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, PSEP has been the lower-risk option at 0.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CGUS or PSEP?

Over the 3-year period, CGUS has performed better with a 22.34% return vs 13.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CGUS or PSEP?

CGUS is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for PSEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CGUS or PSEP?

CGUS has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.00% for PSEP.

What is the main difference between CGUS and PSEP?

CGUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while PSEP is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Capital Group and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for CGUS and 0.79% for PSEP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 2.08), 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.