NAUG vs. POCT

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

NAUG (Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF) and POCT (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. NAUG is actively managed, while POCT is passively managed. Over the past year, NAUG returned 16.17% vs 12.76% for POCT. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

NAUG vs. POCT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF (NAUG) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October (POCT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NAUG achieves a 9.06% return, which is significantly higher than POCT's 6.88% return.

NAUG

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 2.04%
• 6M: 8.11%
• YTD: 9.06%
• 1Y: 16.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.00%

POCT

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 1.23%
• 6M: 5.89%
• YTD: 6.88%
• 1Y: 12.76%
• 3Y*: 11.76%
• 5Y*: 9.96%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.90%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
NAUG Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF	$1.91M	$1.02M	$1.12M
POCT Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October	$1.65M	$1.91M	$3.35M

NAUG vs. POCT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NAUG Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF	9.06%	14.81%	5.68%
POCT Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October	6.88%	11.00%	2.70%

Correlation

The correlation between NAUG and POCT is 0.87, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2024	0.87

The correlation between NAUG and POCT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NAUG vs. POCT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NAUG

NAUG Risk / Return Rank: 88
NAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
NAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
NAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 91
NAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
NAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 90

POCT

POCT Risk / Return Rank: 85
POCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
POCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
POCT Omega Ratio Rank: 88
POCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
POCT Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NAUG vs. POCT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF (NAUG) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October (POCT). 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.

	NAUG	POCT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.06	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	2.97	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.41	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	2.91	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.53	14.61	+0.92

NAUG vs. POCT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the POCT Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NAUG and POCT, 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

NAUG vs. POCT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NAUG drawdown since its inception was -12.88%, smaller than the maximum POCT drawdown of -18.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NAUG and POCT.

Drawdown Indicators

	NAUG	POCT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.88%	-18.80%	+5.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.10%	-4.40%	-0.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.22%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.14%	-1.48%	+0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	0.87%	+0.17%

Volatility

NAUG vs. POCT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF (NAUG) is 1.15%, while Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October (POCT) has a volatility of 1.52%. This indicates that NAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than POCT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NAUG	POCT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	1.52%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.31%	4.99%	+0.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.21%	6.23%	+0.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.86%	8.00%	+2.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.86%	10.15%	+0.71%

NAUG vs. POCT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both NAUG and POCT have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

NAUG vs. POCT - Dividend Comparison

Neither NAUG nor POCT has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NAUG Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
POCT Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NAUG and POCT in my portfolio?

NAUG and POCT have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NAUG or POCT?

POCT has higher volatility (1.52%) compared to NAUG (1.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NAUG dropped -12.88% vs POCT's -18.80%.

Which ETF is better, NAUG or POCT?

On 1-year performance, NAUG leads with 16.17% vs 12.76% for POCT. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, NAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NAUG or POCT?

Over the 1-year period, NAUG has performed better with a 16.17% return vs 12.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NAUG or POCT?

NAUG and POCT have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NAUG or POCT?

NAUG and POCT have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 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.