GAUG vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

GAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GAUG is a Options Trading fund tracking the S&P 500, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GAUG returned 13.13% vs 23.59% for SPY. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

GAUG vs. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GAUG achieves a 4.89% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return.

GAUG

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 4.89%
• 6M: 4.49%
• 1Y: 13.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

GAUG vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August	4.89%	11.28%	11.78%	5.94%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	9.72%

Correlation

The correlation between GAUG and SPY is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2023	0.92

The correlation between GAUG and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GAUG vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAUG

GAUG Risk / Return Rank: 81
GAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
GAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
GAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 85
GAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
GAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 87

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	GAUG	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	1.90	+0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	2.58	+0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.34	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.29	2.67	+0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.10	11.92	+5.18

GAUG vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAUG and SPY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GAUG vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAUG drawdown since its inception was -10.08%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAUG and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAUG	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.08%	-55.19%	+45.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.01%	-8.88%	+4.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-3.17%	+2.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.72%	-9.04%	+8.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	1.98%	-1.21%

Volatility

GAUG vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) is 1.30%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that GAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAUG	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.30%	4.87%	-3.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.41%	9.85%	-5.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.62%	12.50%	-6.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.49%	17.15%	-9.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.49%	17.95%	-10.46%

GAUG vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAUG vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

GAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAUG and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, GAUG and SPY 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 SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to GAUG (1.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAUG dropped -10.08% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, GAUG or SPY?

On 1-year performance, SPY leads with 23.59% vs 13.13% for GAUG. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, GAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GAUG or SPY?

Over the 1-year period, SPY has performed better with a 23.59% return vs 13.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GAUG or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for GAUG.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for GAUG.

What is the main difference between GAUG and SPY?

GAUG is categorized as Options Trading, while SPY is S&P 500. GAUG tracks S&P 500, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GAUG and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.90), 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.