FAUG vs. AVIE

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

FAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August) and AVIE (Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAUG is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August, while AVIE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. FAUG is passively managed, while AVIE is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FAUG returned 13.29%/yr vs 13.54%/yr for AVIE. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVIE.

Performance

FAUG vs. AVIE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) and Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAUG achieves a 7.07% return, which is significantly lower than AVIE's 16.94% return.

FAUG

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 1.24%
• 6M: 5.99%
• YTD: 7.07%
• 1Y: 14.86%
• 3Y*: 13.29%
• 5Y*: 8.94%
• 10Y*: —

AVIE

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 1.67%
• 6M: 14.10%
• YTD: 16.94%
• 1Y: 25.91%
• 3Y*: 13.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FAUG vs. AVIE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	7.07%	13.77%	14.55%	17.24%	3.17%
AVIE Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF	16.94%	11.37%	6.17%	4.19%	15.20%

Correlation

The correlation between FAUG and AVIE is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2022	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between FAUG and AVIE has dropped to 0.21 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FAUG vs. AVIE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FAUG	AVIE
Technology	39.0%	0.1%
Financial Services	11.1%	15.0%
Communication Services	10.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	0.0%
Healthcare	8.3%	26.3%
Industrials	7.8%	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	17.1%
Energy	3.1%	30.0%
Utilities	2.1%	0.0%
Real Estate	1.8%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.7%	9.8%

Return for Risk

FAUG vs. AVIE — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAUG

FAUG Risk / Return Rank: 83
FAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
FAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 87
FAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 87

AVIE

AVIE Risk / Return Rank: 92
AVIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
AVIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
AVIE Omega Ratio Rank: 90
AVIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
AVIE Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

FAUG vs. AVIE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) and Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE). 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.

	FAUG	AVIE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.55	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	3.70	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.45	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	5.24	-2.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.27	16.43	-2.16

FAUG vs. AVIE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the AVIE Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAUG and AVIE, 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

FAUG vs. AVIE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAUG drawdown since its inception was -22.33%, which is greater than AVIE's maximum drawdown of -12.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAUG and AVIE.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAUG	AVIE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.33%	-12.39%	-9.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.26%	-4.97%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.81%	-12.39%	-0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.07%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.80%	-2.97%	+0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	1.60%	-0.56%

Volatility

FAUG vs. AVIE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) is 1.52%, while Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE) has a volatility of 3.66%. This indicates that FAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVIE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAUG	AVIE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.52%	3.66%	-2.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.59%	7.47%	-1.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.07%	10.21%	-3.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.80%	12.90%	-2.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.67%	12.90%	-0.23%

FAUG vs. AVIE - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than AVIE's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAUG vs. AVIE - Dividend Comparison

FAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AVIE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVIE Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF	1.42%	1.75%	1.89%	3.72%	0.39%
FAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAUG and AVIE in my portfolio?

FAUG and AVIE have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAUG or AVIE?

AVIE has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to FAUG (1.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAUG dropped -22.33% vs AVIE's -12.39%.

Which ETF is better, FAUG or AVIE?

On 3-year performance, AVIE leads with 13.54% vs 13.29% for FAUG. On fees, AVIE is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, FAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FAUG or AVIE?

Over the 3-year period, AVIE has performed better with a 13.54% return vs 13.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAUG or AVIE?

AVIE is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FAUG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FAUG or AVIE?

AVIE has the higher dividend yield at 1.42%, compared with 0.00% for FAUG.

What is the main difference between FAUG and AVIE?

FAUG is categorized as Defined Outcome, while AVIE is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FAUG and 0.25% for AVIE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVIE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.11), 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.