IMAR vs. SAUG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IMAR (Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - March) and SAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, IMAR returned 8.91% vs 20.78% for SAUG. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IMAR charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for SAUG.

Performance

IMAR vs. SAUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - March (IMAR) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IMAR achieves a 1.68% return, which is significantly lower than SAUG's 7.86% return.

IMAR

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 1.53%
• YTD: 1.68%
• 6M: 3.48%
• 1Y: 8.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SAUG

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 1.51%
• YTD: 7.86%
• 6M: 8.97%
• 1Y: 20.78%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IMAR vs. SAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IMAR Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - March	1.68%	18.88%	-0.77%
SAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August	7.86%	8.23%	9.27%

Correlation

The correlation between IMAR and SAUG is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 2024	0.64

The correlation between IMAR and SAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IMAR vs. SAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

IMAR

IMAR Risk / Return Rank: 32
IMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
IMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 34

SAUG

SAUG Risk / Return Rank: 74
SAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

IMAR vs. SAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - March (IMAR) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG). 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.

	IMAR	SAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	2.18	-1.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	3.30	-1.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.42	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	5.05	-3.68
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.31	16.47	-11.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IMAR vs. SAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IMAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is lower than the SAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IMAR and SAUG, 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

	IMAR	SAUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.12	2.18	-1.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	1.04	-0.13

Drawdowns

IMAR vs. SAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IMAR drawdown since its inception was -9.05%, smaller than the maximum SAUG drawdown of -14.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMAR and SAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	IMAR	SAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.05%	-14.62%	+5.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.91%	-4.10%	-2.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	0.00%	-0.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.89%	-2.25%	+0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	1.26%	+0.52%

Volatility

IMAR vs. SAUG - Volatility Comparison

Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - March (IMAR) has a higher volatility of 3.05% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG) at 1.23%. This indicates that IMAR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SAUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IMAR	SAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.05%	1.23%	+1.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.89%	5.45%	+1.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.99%	9.58%	-1.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.35%	11.82%	-2.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.35%	11.82%	-2.47%

IMAR vs. SAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

IMAR has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than SAUG's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

IMAR vs. SAUG - Dividend Comparison

Neither IMAR nor SAUG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IMAR and SAUG in my portfolio?

IMAR and SAUG have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IMAR or SAUG?

IMAR has higher volatility (3.05%) compared to SAUG (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IMAR dropped -9.05% vs SAUG's -14.62%.

Which ETF is better, IMAR or SAUG?

On 1-year performance, SAUG leads with 20.78% vs 8.91% for IMAR. On fees, IMAR is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, SAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IMAR or SAUG?

Over the 1-year period, SAUG has performed better with a 20.78% return vs 8.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IMAR or SAUG?

IMAR is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SAUG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IMAR or SAUG?

IMAR and SAUG have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between IMAR and SAUG?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for IMAR and 0.90% for SAUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.12), 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.