PAUG vs. PSEP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August) and PSEP (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - PAUG tracks the Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect August Series Index while PSEP tracks the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PAUG returned 9.17%/yr vs 9.36%/yr for PSEP. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.79% expense ratio.

Performance

PAUG vs. PSEP - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PAUG having a 4.92% return and PSEP slightly lower at 4.91%.

PAUG

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 1.57%
• YTD: 4.92%
• 6M: 5.53%
• 1Y: 14.97%
• 3Y*: 14.49%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: —

PSEP

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.67%
• YTD: 4.91%
• 6M: 5.58%
• 1Y: 14.71%
• 3Y*: 13.16%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: —

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

PAUG vs. PSEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August	4.92%	12.34%	15.37%	17.71%	-6.85%	7.58%	9.82%	5.12%
PSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September	4.91%	11.85%	12.44%	18.84%	-3.74%	8.85%	8.48%	4.62%

Correlation

The correlation between PAUG and PSEP is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2019	0.90

The correlation between PAUG and PSEP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

PAUG vs. PSEP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

PAUG vs. PSEP — Risk / Return Rank

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

PAUG

PAUG Risk / Return Rank: 85
PAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
PAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 89
PAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
PAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 90

PSEP

PSEP Risk / Return Rank: 82
PSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
PSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
PSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 86
PSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

PAUG vs. PSEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September (PSEP). 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.

	PAUG	PSEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	2.59	+0.10
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.99	3.83	+0.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.53	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.80	3.62	+0.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.75	19.15	+1.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PAUG vs. PSEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.69, which is comparable to the PSEP Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAUG and PSEP, 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

	PAUG	PSEP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.69	2.59	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.06	1.09	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.96	-0.08

Drawdowns

PAUG vs. PSEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAUG drawdown since its inception was -17.88%, roughly equal to the maximum PSEP drawdown of -17.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAUG and PSEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAUG	PSEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.88%	-17.90%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.96%	-4.08%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.45%	-9.92%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.76%	-9.92%	-1.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-0.08%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.81%	-1.56%	-0.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.72%	0.77%	-0.05%

Volatility

PAUG vs. PSEP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG) is 0.58%, while Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September (PSEP) has a volatility of 0.70%. This indicates that PAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PSEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PAUG	PSEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.58%	0.70%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.18%	4.25%	-0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.60%	5.71%	-0.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.71%	8.61%	+0.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.60%	10.12%	+0.48%

PAUG vs. PSEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PAUG and PSEP have an expense ratio of 0.79%.

Dividends

PAUG vs. PSEP - Dividend Comparison

Neither PAUG nor PSEP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.33%
PSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PAUG and PSEP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, PAUG and PSEP 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, PAUG or PSEP?

PSEP has higher volatility (0.70%) compared to PAUG (0.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAUG dropped -17.88% vs PSEP's -17.90%.

Which ETF is better, PAUG or PSEP?

On 5-year performance, PSEP leads with 9.36% vs 9.17% for PAUG. Both ETFs have the same 0.79% expense ratio. On volatility, PAUG has been the lower-risk option at 0.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PAUG or PSEP?

Over the 5-year period, PSEP has performed better with a 9.36% return vs 9.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PAUG or PSEP?

PAUG and PSEP have the same expense ratio: 0.79% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PAUG or PSEP?

PAUG and PSEP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PAUG and PSEP?

PAUG tracks Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect August Series Index, while PSEP tracks S&P 500 Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 2.59), 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.