NAUG vs. UAUG

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NAUG (Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF) and UAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - August) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator. NAUG is actively managed, while UAUG is passively managed. Over the past year, NAUG returned 17.67% vs 15.35% for UAUG. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

NAUG vs. UAUG - 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 Ultra Buffer ETF - August (UAUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NAUG achieves a 6.71% return, which is significantly higher than UAUG's 4.95% return.

NAUG

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 1.69%
• YTD: 6.71%
• 6M: 7.26%
• 1Y: 17.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UAUG

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 4.95%
• 6M: 5.47%
• 1Y: 15.35%
• 3Y*: 14.66%
• 5Y*: 7.99%
• 10Y*: —

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

NAUG vs. UAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NAUG Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF	6.71%	14.81%	7.13%
UAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - August	4.95%	12.42%	5.34%

Correlation

The correlation between NAUG and UAUG is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 2, 2024	0.91

The correlation between NAUG and UAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NAUG vs. UAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

NAUG

NAUG Risk / Return Rank: 78
NAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
NAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
NAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 81
NAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
NAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 84

UAUG

UAUG Risk / Return Rank: 87
UAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
UAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
UAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 91
UAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
UAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

NAUG vs. UAUG - 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 Ultra Buffer ETF - August (UAUG). 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.

	NAUG	UAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.81	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	4.15	-0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.58	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.48	3.89	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.99	20.60	-3.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NAUG vs. UAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the UAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NAUG and UAUG, 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

	NAUG	UAUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	2.81	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.02	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.43	0.91	+0.52

Drawdowns

NAUG vs. UAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NAUG drawdown since its inception was -12.88%, smaller than the maximum UAUG drawdown of -13.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NAUG and UAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	NAUG	UAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.88%	-13.91%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.10%	-3.96%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.35%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.20%	-2.36%	+1.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	0.75%	+0.29%

Volatility

NAUG vs. UAUG - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF (NAUG) has a higher volatility of 0.61% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - August (UAUG) at 0.55%. This indicates that NAUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UAUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NAUG	UAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.61%	0.55%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.53%	4.13%	+1.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.35%	5.49%	+1.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.21%	7.89%	+3.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.21%	8.71%	+2.50%

NAUG vs. UAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

NAUG vs. UAUG - Dividend Comparison

Neither NAUG nor UAUG 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%
UAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NAUG and UAUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, NAUG and UAUG 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, NAUG or UAUG?

NAUG has higher volatility (0.61%) compared to UAUG (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NAUG dropped -12.88% vs UAUG's -13.91%.

Which ETF is better, NAUG or UAUG?

On 1-year performance, NAUG leads with 17.67% vs 15.35% for UAUG. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NAUG or UAUG?

Over the 1-year period, NAUG has performed better with a 17.67% return vs 15.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NAUG or UAUG?

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

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

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 2.42), 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.