RFLR vs. UAUG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

RFLR (Innovator U.S. Small Cap Managed Floor ETF) and UAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - August) are both exchange-traded funds - RFLR is a Equity Hedged fund actively managed by Innovator, while UAUG is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500. RFLR is actively managed, while UAUG is passively managed. Over the past year, RFLR returned 28.89% vs 15.19% for UAUG. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RFLR charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for UAUG.

Performance

RFLR vs. UAUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Small Cap Managed Floor ETF (RFLR) 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, RFLR achieves a 9.14% return, which is significantly higher than UAUG's 4.84% return.

RFLR

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 2.56%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 6M: 10.43%
• 1Y: 28.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UAUG

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 4.84%
• 6M: 5.32%
• 1Y: 15.19%
• 3Y*: 14.57%
• 5Y*: 7.97%
• 10Y*: —

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

RFLR vs. UAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
RFLR Innovator U.S. Small Cap Managed Floor ETF	9.14%	11.81%	2.29%
UAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - August	4.84%	12.42%	2.72%

Correlation

The correlation between RFLR and UAUG is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2024	0.70

The correlation between RFLR and UAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

RFLR vs. UAUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFLR	UAUG
Financial Services	17.0%	11.9%
Technology	16.3%	36.2%
Healthcare	15.4%	8.4%
Industrials	14.7%	8.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	10.1%
Real Estate	6.3%	1.9%
Energy	6.2%	3.5%
Basic Materials	4.3%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	4.9%
Utilities	2.5%	2.3%
Communication Services	1.9%	10.9%

Return for Risk

RFLR vs. UAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFLR

RFLR Risk / Return Rank: 76
RFLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
RFLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
RFLR Omega Ratio Rank: 69
RFLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
RFLR Martin Ratio Rank: 83

UAUG

UAUG Risk / Return Rank: 86
UAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
UAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
UAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 89
UAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
UAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

RFLR vs. UAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Small Cap Managed Floor ETF (RFLR) 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.

	RFLR	UAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.78	-0.41
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	4.11	-0.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.57	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.91	3.85	+1.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.34	20.38	-3.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFLR vs. UAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFLR Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the UAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFLR 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

	RFLR	UAUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	2.78	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.01	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.15	0.91	+0.24

Drawdowns

RFLR vs. UAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFLR drawdown since its inception was -15.48%, which is greater than UAUG's maximum drawdown of -13.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFLR and UAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFLR	UAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.48%	-13.91%	-1.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.79%	-3.96%	-1.83%
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%	-0.10%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.85%	-2.36%	-1.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.64%	0.75%	+0.89%

Volatility

RFLR vs. UAUG - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Small Cap Managed Floor ETF (RFLR) has a higher volatility of 3.58% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - August (UAUG) at 0.60%. This indicates that RFLR'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

	RFLR	UAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.58%	0.60%	+2.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.26%	4.13%	+4.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.23%	5.51%	+6.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.18%	7.89%	+4.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.18%	8.72%	+3.46%

RFLR vs. UAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFLR has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than UAUG's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFLR vs. UAUG - Dividend Comparison

RFLR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, while UAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
RFLR Innovator U.S. Small Cap Managed Floor ETF	0.61%	0.67%	0.26%	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 RFLR and UAUG in my portfolio?

RFLR and UAUG have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFLR or UAUG?

RFLR has higher volatility (3.58%) compared to UAUG (0.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFLR dropped -15.48% vs UAUG's -13.91%.

Which ETF is better, RFLR or UAUG?

On 1-year performance, RFLR leads with 28.89% vs 15.19% for UAUG. On fees, UAUG is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, UAUG has been the lower-risk option at 0.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFLR or UAUG?

Over the 1-year period, RFLR has performed better with a 28.89% return vs 15.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFLR or UAUG?

UAUG is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for RFLR.

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

RFLR has the higher dividend yield at 0.61%, compared with 0.00% for UAUG.

What is the main difference between RFLR and UAUG?

RFLR is categorized as Equity Hedged, while UAUG is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for RFLR and 0.79% for UAUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 2.37), 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.