FAUG vs. SPXM

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

FAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August) and SPXM (Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAUG is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August, while SPXM is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Azoria. FAUG is passively managed, while SPXM is actively managed. Over the past year, FAUG returned 14.93% vs 8.61% for SPXM. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for SPXM.

Performance

FAUG vs. SPXM - 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 Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (SPXM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

FAUG

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.44%
• 6M: 6.27%
• YTD: 7.28%
• 1Y: 14.93%
• 3Y*: 13.36%
• 5Y*: 8.98%
• 10Y*: —

SPXM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 1Y: 8.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FAUG vs. SPXM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	7.28%	7.86%
SPXM Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF	0.00%	9.27%

Correlation

The correlation between FAUG and SPXM is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2025	0.53

The correlation between FAUG and SPXM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FAUG vs. SPXM — 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

SPXM

SPXM Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPXM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
SPXM Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SPXM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SPXM Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SPXM Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. SPXM - 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 Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (SPXM). 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	SPXM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	1.38	+0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	1.95	+1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.38	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	2.09	+0.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.33	9.77	+4.56

FAUG vs. SPXM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is higher than the SPXM Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAUG and SPXM, 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. SPXM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAUG drawdown since its inception was -22.33%, which is greater than SPXM's maximum drawdown of -5.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAUG and SPXM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAUG	SPXM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.33%	-5.08%	-17.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.26%	-5.08%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.81%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-0.75%	+0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.79%	-0.78%	-2.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	—	—

Volatility

FAUG vs. SPXM - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) has a higher volatility of 1.40% compared to Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (SPXM) at 0.00%. This indicates that FAUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPXM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAUG	SPXM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.40%	0.00%	+1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.58%	3.96%	+1.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.06%	7.66%	-0.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.80%	7.63%	+3.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.66%	7.63%	+5.03%

FAUG vs. SPXM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXM's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAUG vs. SPXM - Dividend Comparison

FAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPXM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%.

Position	TTM	2025
FAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%
SPXM Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF	0.24%	0.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAUG and SPXM in my portfolio?

FAUG and SPXM have a correlation of 0.53, 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 SPXM?

FAUG has higher volatility (1.40%) compared to SPXM (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAUG dropped -22.33% vs SPXM's -5.08%.

Which ETF is better, FAUG or SPXM?

On 1-year performance, FAUG leads with 14.93% vs 8.61% for SPXM. On fees, SPXM is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, SPXM has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FAUG or SPXM?

Over the 1-year period, FAUG has performed better with a 14.93% return vs 8.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAUG or SPXM?

SPXM is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FAUG.

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

SPXM has the higher dividend yield at 0.24%, compared with 0.00% for FAUG.

What is the main difference between FAUG and SPXM?

FAUG is categorized as Defined Outcome, while SPXM is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Azoria. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FAUG and 0.47% for SPXM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.38), 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.