SAUG vs. BSTP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and BSTP (Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF) are both Options Trading funds. SAUG is actively managed, while BSTP is passively managed. Over the past year, SAUG returned 19.51% vs 16.71% for BSTP. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SAUG charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BSTP.

Performance

SAUG vs. BSTP - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAUG achieves a 7.65% return, which is significantly higher than BSTP's 6.07% return.

SAUG

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.58%
• YTD: 7.65%
• 6M: 7.95%
• 1Y: 19.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BSTP

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 3.05%
• YTD: 6.07%
• 6M: 6.56%
• 1Y: 16.71%
• 3Y*: 14.35%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SAUG vs. BSTP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August	7.65%	8.23%	11.08%	6.26%
BSTP Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF	6.07%	11.80%	16.70%	5.79%

Correlation

The correlation between SAUG and BSTP is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2023	0.76

The correlation between SAUG and BSTP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SAUG vs. BSTP — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAUG

SAUG Risk / Return Rank: 72
SAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 66
SAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 80

BSTP

BSTP Risk / Return Rank: 65
BSTP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
BSTP Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
BSTP Omega Ratio Rank: 69
BSTP Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
BSTP Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

SAUG vs. BSTP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG) and Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP). 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.

	SAUG	BSTP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	2.12	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	3.01	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.41	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.78	2.69	+2.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.56	13.18	+2.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SAUG vs. BSTP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the BSTP Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAUG and BSTP, 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

	SAUG	BSTP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	2.12	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.03	0.91	+0.12

Drawdowns

SAUG vs. BSTP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAUG drawdown since its inception was -14.62%, smaller than the maximum BSTP drawdown of -16.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAUG and BSTP.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAUG	BSTP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.62%	-16.69%	+2.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.10%	-6.23%	+2.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.32%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.24%	-3.52%	+1.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.26%	1.27%	-0.01%

Volatility

SAUG vs. BSTP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG) is 1.22%, while Innovator Buffer Step-Up Strategy ETF (BSTP) has a volatility of 1.52%. This indicates that SAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BSTP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAUG	BSTP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.22%	1.52%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.41%	6.15%	-0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.59%	7.93%	+1.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.81%	12.11%	-0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.81%	12.11%	-0.30%

SAUG vs. BSTP - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAUG has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than BSTP's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAUG vs. BSTP - Dividend Comparison

Neither SAUG nor BSTP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAUG and BSTP in my portfolio?

SAUG and BSTP have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAUG or BSTP?

BSTP has higher volatility (1.52%) compared to SAUG (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAUG dropped -14.62% vs BSTP's -16.69%.

Which ETF is better, SAUG or BSTP?

On 1-year performance, SAUG leads with 19.51% vs 16.71% for BSTP. On fees, BSTP is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, SAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SAUG or BSTP?

Over the 1-year period, SAUG has performed better with a 19.51% return vs 16.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SAUG or BSTP?

BSTP is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SAUG.

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

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

What is the main difference between SAUG and BSTP?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for SAUG and 0.89% for BSTP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BSTP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 2.05), 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.