GAUG vs. OILK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and OILK (ProShares K-1 Free Crude Oil Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GAUG is a Options Trading fund tracking the S&P 500, while OILK is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Bloomberg Commodity Balanced WTI Crude Oil Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GAUG returned 14.06% vs 58.99% for OILK. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. GAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for OILK.

Performance

GAUG vs. OILK - 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 ProShares K-1 Free Crude Oil Strategy ETF (OILK). 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 OILK's 64.22% return.

GAUG

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

OILK

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 64.22%
• 6M: 60.70%
• 1Y: 58.99%
• 3Y*: 19.03%
• 5Y*: 17.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

GAUG vs. OILK - 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%
OILK ProShares K-1 Free Crude Oil Strategy ETF	64.22%	-11.86%	8.18%	-4.58%

Correlation

The correlation between GAUG and OILK is -0.28, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2023	-0.06

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between GAUG and OILK has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.06 to -0.28, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

GAUG vs. OILK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GAUG	OILK
Technology	36.2%	-
Financial Services	11.9%	-
Communication Services	10.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	100.0%
Healthcare	8.4%	-
Industrials	8.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

GAUG vs. OILK — 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

OILK

OILK Risk / Return Rank: 55
OILK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
OILK Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
OILK Omega Ratio Rank: 54
OILK Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
OILK Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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. OILK - 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 ProShares K-1 Free Crude Oil Strategy ETF (OILK). 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	OILK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	2.06	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	2.59	+1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.34	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	3.42	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.35	6.91	+11.44
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. OILK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is comparable to the OILK Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAUG and OILK, 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	OILK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	2.06	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.65	0.12	+1.53

Drawdowns

GAUG vs. OILK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAUG drawdown since its inception was -10.08%, smaller than the maximum OILK drawdown of -83.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAUG and OILK.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAUG	OILK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.08%	-83.76%	+73.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.01%	-17.35%	+13.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-3.66%	+3.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-32.61%	+31.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	8.56%	-7.79%

Volatility

GAUG vs. OILK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) is 0.75%, while ProShares K-1 Free Crude Oil Strategy ETF (OILK) has a volatility of 10.44%. This indicates that GAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than OILK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAUG	OILK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.75%	10.44%	-9.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.33%	23.26%	-18.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.70%	28.75%	-23.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.53%	30.12%	-22.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.53%	35.97%	-28.44%

GAUG vs. OILK - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than OILK's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAUG vs. OILK - Dividend Comparison

GAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while OILK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.18%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
OILK ProShares K-1 Free Crude Oil Strategy ETF	8.18%	4.79%	3.11%	5.80%	17.32%	68.82%	0.13%	0.94%	0.58%	6.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAUG and OILK in my portfolio?

GAUG and OILK have a correlation of -0.28, 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 OILK?

OILK has higher volatility (10.44%) compared to GAUG (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAUG dropped -10.08% vs OILK's -83.76%.

Which ETF is better, GAUG or OILK?

On 1-year performance, OILK leads with 58.99% vs 14.06% for GAUG. On fees, OILK is cheaper at 0.68% 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 OILK?

Over the 1-year period, OILK has performed better with a 58.99% 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 OILK?

OILK is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for GAUG.

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

OILK has the higher dividend yield at 8.18%, compared with 0.00% for GAUG.

What is the main difference between GAUG and OILK?

GAUG is categorized as Options Trading, while OILK is Oil & Gas. GAUG tracks S&P 500, while OILK tracks Bloomberg Commodity Balanced WTI Crude Oil Index. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GAUG and 0.68% for OILK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 2.06), 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.