DECW vs. SAUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DECW (Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF) and SAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DECW returned 15.29% vs 19.51% for SAUG. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DECW charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for SAUG.

Performance

DECW vs. SAUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF (DECW) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DECW achieves a 4.89% return, which is significantly lower than SAUG's 7.65% return.

DECW

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 1.85%
• YTD: 4.89%
• 6M: 5.29%
• 1Y: 15.29%
• 3Y*: 11.17%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SAUG

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.58%
• YTD: 7.65%
• 6M: 7.95%
• 1Y: 19.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DECW vs. SAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DECW Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF	4.89%	11.57%	8.64%	5.96%
SAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August	7.65%	8.23%	11.08%	6.26%

Correlation

The correlation between DECW and SAUG is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2023	0.70

The correlation between DECW and SAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DECW vs. SAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

DECW

DECW Risk / Return Rank: 86
DECW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DECW Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DECW Omega Ratio Rank: 89
DECW Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
DECW Martin Ratio Rank: 90

SAUG

SAUG Risk / Return Rank: 72
SAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 66
SAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

DECW vs. SAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF (DECW) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG). 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.

	DECW	SAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.75	2.05	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	3.11	+1.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.39	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.98	4.78	-0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.30	15.56	+4.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DECW vs. SAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DECW Sharpe Ratio is 2.75, which is higher than the SAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DECW and SAUG, 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

	DECW	SAUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.75	2.05	+0.70
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.54	1.03	+0.51

Drawdowns

DECW vs. SAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DECW drawdown since its inception was -8.76%, smaller than the maximum SAUG drawdown of -14.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DECW and SAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	DECW	SAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.76%	-14.62%	+5.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.86%	-4.10%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.76%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.17%	-0.19%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.86%	-2.24%	+1.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	1.26%	-0.51%

Volatility

DECW vs. SAUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF (DECW) is 0.77%, while FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG) has a volatility of 1.22%. This indicates that DECW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SAUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DECW	SAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.77%	1.22%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.97%	5.41%	-1.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.58%	9.59%	-4.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.11%	11.81%	-4.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.11%	11.81%	-4.70%

DECW vs. SAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

DECW has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than SAUG's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

DECW vs. SAUG - Dividend Comparison

Neither DECW nor SAUG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
DECW Allianzim U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Dec ETF	0.00%	0.00%	1.17%
SAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DECW and SAUG in my portfolio?

DECW and SAUG have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DECW or SAUG?

SAUG has higher volatility (1.22%) compared to DECW (0.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DECW dropped -8.76% vs SAUG's -14.62%.

Which ETF is better, DECW or SAUG?

On 1-year performance, SAUG leads with 19.51% vs 15.29% for DECW. On fees, DECW is cheaper at 0.74% per year. On volatility, DECW has been the lower-risk option at 0.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DECW or SAUG?

Over the 1-year period, SAUG has performed better with a 19.51% return vs 15.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DECW or SAUG?

DECW is cheaper with a 0.74% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SAUG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DECW or SAUG?

DECW and SAUG have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DECW and SAUG?

They also come from different issuers: Allianz and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for DECW and 0.90% for SAUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DECW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 2.05), 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.