GAUG vs. LAPR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and LAPR (Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - April) are both Options Trading funds. GAUG is passively managed, while LAPR is actively managed. Over the past year, GAUG returned 14.06% vs 7.01% for LAPR. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for LAPR.

Performance

GAUG vs. LAPR - 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 15 Buffer ETF - April (LAPR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GAUG achieves a 4.97% return, which is significantly higher than LAPR's 3.32% return.

GAUG

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

LAPR

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 3.32%
• 6M: 3.77%
• 1Y: 7.01%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GAUG vs. LAPR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August	4.97%	11.28%	7.12%
LAPR Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - April	3.32%	5.81%	4.82%

Correlation

The correlation between GAUG and LAPR is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2024	0.65

The correlation between GAUG and LAPR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GAUG vs. LAPR — 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

LAPR

LAPR Risk / Return Rank: 99
LAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
LAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
LAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 99
LAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
LAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. LAPR - 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 15 Buffer ETF - April (LAPR). 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	LAPR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	5.58	-3.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	12.13	-8.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	2.93	-1.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	29.36	-25.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.35	144.96	-126.61
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. LAPR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is lower than the LAPR Sharpe Ratio of 5.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAUG and LAPR, 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	LAPR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	5.58	-3.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.65	1.97	-0.33

Drawdowns

GAUG vs. LAPR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAUG drawdown since its inception was -10.08%, which is greater than LAPR's maximum drawdown of -3.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAUG and LAPR.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAUG	LAPR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.08%	-3.81%	-6.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.01%	-0.24%	-3.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-0.12%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-0.11%	-0.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	0.05%	+0.72%

Volatility

GAUG vs. LAPR - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) has a higher volatility of 0.75% compared to Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - April (LAPR) at 0.32%. This indicates that GAUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LAPR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAUG	LAPR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.75%	0.32%	+0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.33%	1.00%	+3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.70%	1.27%	+4.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.53%	3.30%	+4.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.53%	3.30%	+4.23%

GAUG vs. LAPR - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

GAUG vs. LAPR - Dividend Comparison

GAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while LAPR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.53%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
GAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
LAPR Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - April	5.53%	5.40%	4.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAUG and LAPR in my portfolio?

GAUG and LAPR have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GAUG or LAPR?

GAUG has higher volatility (0.75%) compared to LAPR (0.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAUG dropped -10.08% vs LAPR's -3.81%.

Which ETF is better, GAUG or LAPR?

On 1-year performance, GAUG leads with 14.06% vs 7.01% for LAPR. On fees, LAPR is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, LAPR has been the lower-risk option at 0.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GAUG or LAPR?

Over the 1-year period, GAUG has performed better with a 14.06% return vs 7.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GAUG or LAPR?

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

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

LAPR has the higher dividend yield at 5.53%, compared with 0.00% for GAUG.

What is the main difference between GAUG and LAPR?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.58 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.