SAUG vs. RDVI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August) and RDVI (FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SAUG is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while RDVI is a Derivative Income fund tracking the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers. SAUG is actively managed, while RDVI is passively managed. Over the past year, SAUG returned 19.51% vs 24.98% for RDVI. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SAUG charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for RDVI.

Performance

SAUG vs. RDVI - 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 FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI). 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 lower than RDVI's 9.43% return.

SAUG

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

RDVI

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 2.77%
• YTD: 9.43%
• 6M: 10.61%
• 1Y: 24.98%
• 3Y*: 18.62%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SAUG vs. RDVI - 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%
RDVI FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	9.43%	17.93%	14.56%	9.40%

Correlation

The correlation between SAUG and RDVI is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2023	0.82

The correlation between SAUG and RDVI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SAUG vs. RDVI — 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

RDVI

RDVI Risk / Return Rank: 58
RDVI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
RDVI Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
RDVI Omega Ratio Rank: 54
RDVI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
RDVI Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. RDVI - 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 FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI). 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	RDVI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	1.89	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	2.74	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.34	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.78	2.96	+1.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.56	12.48	+3.07
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. RDVI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the RDVI Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAUG and RDVI, 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	RDVI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	1.89	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.03	1.19	-0.15

Drawdowns

SAUG vs. RDVI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAUG drawdown since its inception was -14.62%, smaller than the maximum RDVI drawdown of -18.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAUG and RDVI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAUG	RDVI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.62%	-18.35%	+3.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.10%	-8.48%	+4.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.43%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.24%	-3.17%	+0.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.26%	2.01%	-0.75%

Volatility

SAUG vs. RDVI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG) is 1.22%, while FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI) has a volatility of 3.66%. This indicates that SAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RDVI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAUG	RDVI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.22%	3.66%	-2.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.41%	10.50%	-5.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.59%	13.27%	-3.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.81%	16.91%	-5.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.81%	16.91%	-5.10%

SAUG vs. RDVI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAUG has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than RDVI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAUG vs. RDVI - Dividend Comparison

SAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RDVI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.94%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
RDVI FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	7.94%	8.10%	8.62%	8.45%	1.53%
SAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAUG and RDVI in my portfolio?

SAUG and RDVI have a correlation of 0.80, 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 RDVI?

RDVI has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to SAUG (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAUG dropped -14.62% vs RDVI's -18.35%.

Which ETF is better, SAUG or RDVI?

On 1-year performance, RDVI leads with 24.98% vs 19.51% for SAUG. On fees, RDVI is cheaper at 0.75% 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 RDVI?

Over the 1-year period, RDVI has performed better with a 24.98% return vs 19.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SAUG or RDVI?

RDVI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SAUG.

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

RDVI has the higher dividend yield at 7.94%, compared with 0.00% for SAUG.

What is the main difference between SAUG and RDVI?

SAUG is categorized as Options Trading, while RDVI is Derivative Income. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for SAUG and 0.75% for RDVI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.89), 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.