GAUG vs. MSTQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and MSTQ (LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF) are both Options Trading funds. GAUG is passively managed, while MSTQ is actively managed. Over the past year, GAUG returned 14.06% vs 31.81% for MSTQ. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.59%/yr for MSTQ.

Performance

GAUG vs. MSTQ - 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 LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF (MSTQ). 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 lower than MSTQ's 17.40% return.

GAUG

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

MSTQ

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 9.02%
• YTD: 17.40%
• 6M: 15.69%
• 1Y: 31.81%
• 3Y*: 24.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GAUG vs. MSTQ - 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%
MSTQ LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF	17.40%	20.57%	19.58%	9.59%

Correlation

The correlation between GAUG and MSTQ is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2023	0.79

The correlation between GAUG and MSTQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

GAUG vs. MSTQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GAUG	MSTQ
Technology	36.2%	54.0%
Financial Services	11.9%	0.2%
Communication Services	10.9%	15.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	4.2%
Industrials	8.1%	2.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.6%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.1%

Return for Risk

GAUG vs. MSTQ — 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

MSTQ

MSTQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
MSTQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
MSTQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
MSTQ Omega Ratio Rank: 64
MSTQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
MSTQ Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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. MSTQ - 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 LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF (MSTQ). 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	MSTQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	2.23	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	2.97	+0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.39	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	2.58	+0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.35	8.04	+10.31
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. MSTQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is comparable to the MSTQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAUG and MSTQ, 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	MSTQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	2.23	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.65	0.87	+0.77

Drawdowns

GAUG vs. MSTQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAUG drawdown since its inception was -10.08%, smaller than the maximum MSTQ drawdown of -31.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAUG and MSTQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAUG	MSTQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.08%	-31.05%	+20.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.01%	-12.39%	+8.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-0.21%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-8.62%	+7.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	3.97%	-3.20%

Volatility

GAUG vs. MSTQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) is 0.75%, while LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF (MSTQ) has a volatility of 4.25%. This indicates that GAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSTQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAUG	MSTQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.75%	4.25%	-3.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.33%	10.58%	-6.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.70%	14.35%	-8.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.53%	18.85%	-11.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.53%	18.85%	-11.32%

GAUG vs. MSTQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than MSTQ's 1.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAUG vs. MSTQ - Dividend Comparison

GAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MSTQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.90%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
GAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MSTQ LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF	11.90%	13.97%	3.72%	0.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAUG and MSTQ in my portfolio?

GAUG and MSTQ have a correlation of 0.81, 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 MSTQ?

MSTQ has higher volatility (4.25%) compared to GAUG (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAUG dropped -10.08% vs MSTQ's -31.05%.

Which ETF is better, GAUG or MSTQ?

On 1-year performance, MSTQ leads with 31.81% vs 14.06% for GAUG. On fees, GAUG is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, GAUG has been the lower-risk option at 0.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GAUG or MSTQ?

Over the 1-year period, MSTQ has performed better with a 31.81% 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 MSTQ?

GAUG is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.59% for MSTQ.

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

MSTQ has the higher dividend yield at 11.90%, compared with 0.00% for GAUG.

What is the main difference between GAUG and MSTQ?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Little Harbor Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GAUG and 1.59% for MSTQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 2.23), 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.