GAUG vs. HOCT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and HOCT (Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF - October) are both Options Trading funds. GAUG is passively managed, while HOCT is actively managed. GAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for HOCT.

Performance

GAUG vs. HOCT - 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 Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF - October (HOCT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

GAUG

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

HOCT

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

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

GAUG vs. HOCT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
GAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August	4.14%
HOCT Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF - October	0.00%

Return for Risk

GAUG vs. HOCT — 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

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. HOCT - 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 Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF - October (HOCT). 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	HOCT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.35	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GAUG	HOCT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.65	—	—

Drawdowns

GAUG vs. HOCT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAUG drawdown since its inception was -10.08%, which is greater than HOCT's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAUG and HOCT.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAUG	HOCT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.08%	0.00%	-10.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.01%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	0.00%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	0.00%	-0.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GAUG	HOCT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.75%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.33%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.70%	0.00%	+5.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.53%	0.00%	+7.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.53%	0.00%	+7.53%

GAUG vs. HOCT - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than HOCT's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAUG vs. HOCT - Dividend Comparison

Neither GAUG nor HOCT has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, GAUG or HOCT?

On fees, HOCT is cheaper at 0.79% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GAUG or HOCT?

HOCT is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for GAUG.

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

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

What is the main difference between GAUG and HOCT?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GAUG and 0.79% for HOCT.