GAUG vs. DNOV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and DNOV (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November) are both exchange-traded funds - GAUG is a Options Trading fund tracking the S&P 500, while DNOV is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GAUG returned 14.06% vs 17.37% for DNOV. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

GAUG vs. DNOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November (DNOV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with GAUG having a 4.97% return and DNOV slightly lower at 4.78%.

GAUG

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 1.59%
• YTD: 4.97%
• 6M: 5.40%
• 1Y: 14.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DNOV

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 1.78%
• YTD: 4.78%
• 6M: 5.27%
• 1Y: 17.37%
• 3Y*: 13.14%
• 5Y*: 8.14%
• 10Y*: —

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

GAUG vs. DNOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August	4.97%	11.28%	11.78%	5.84%
DNOV FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November	4.78%	13.93%	10.71%	6.92%

Correlation

The correlation between GAUG and DNOV is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2023	0.89

The correlation between GAUG and DNOV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

GAUG vs. DNOV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GAUG	DNOV
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

GAUG vs. DNOV — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAUG

GAUG Risk / Return Rank: 80
GAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
GAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
GAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 83
GAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
GAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 86

DNOV

DNOV Risk / Return Rank: 89
DNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
DNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
DNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
DNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

GAUG vs. DNOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November (DNOV). 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.

	GAUG	DNOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	3.05	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	4.61	-0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.64	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	4.17	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.35	22.39	-4.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GAUG vs. DNOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is comparable to the DNOV Sharpe Ratio of 3.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAUG and DNOV, 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

	GAUG	DNOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	3.05	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.07	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.65	0.91	+0.73

Drawdowns

GAUG vs. DNOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAUG drawdown since its inception was -10.08%, smaller than the maximum DNOV drawdown of -15.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAUG and DNOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAUG	DNOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.08%	-15.03%	+4.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.01%	-4.18%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.98%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.98%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-0.18%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-2.01%	+1.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	0.78%	-0.01%

Volatility

GAUG vs. DNOV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) is 0.75%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - November (DNOV) has a volatility of 0.84%. This indicates that GAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DNOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAUG	DNOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.75%	0.84%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.33%	4.22%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.70%	5.73%	-0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.53%	7.61%	-0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.53%	9.04%	-1.51%

GAUG vs. DNOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GAUG and DNOV have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

GAUG vs. DNOV - Dividend Comparison

Neither GAUG nor DNOV has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAUG and DNOV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, GAUG and DNOV 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, GAUG or DNOV?

DNOV has higher volatility (0.84%) compared to GAUG (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAUG dropped -10.08% vs DNOV's -15.03%.

Which ETF is better, GAUG or DNOV?

On 1-year performance, DNOV leads with 17.37% vs 14.06% for GAUG. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GAUG or DNOV?

Over the 1-year period, DNOV has performed better with a 17.37% return vs 14.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GAUG or DNOV?

GAUG and DNOV have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GAUG or DNOV?

GAUG and DNOV have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GAUG and DNOV?

GAUG is categorized as Options Trading, while DNOV is Defined Outcome. Both ETFs track S&P 500.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DNOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 2.48), 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.