SCHK vs. PAUG

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SCHK (Schwab 1000 Index ETF) and PAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHK is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Schwab 1000 Index, while PAUG is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect August Series Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHK returned 13.25%/yr vs 9.19%/yr for PAUG. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHK charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for PAUG.

Performance

SCHK vs. PAUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab 1000 Index ETF (SCHK) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHK achieves a 11.59% return, which is significantly higher than PAUG's 5.02% return.

SCHK

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 4.73%
• YTD: 11.59%
• 6M: 11.39%
• 1Y: 28.35%
• 3Y*: 22.57%
• 5Y*: 13.25%
• 10Y*: —

PAUG

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 1.43%
• YTD: 5.02%
• 6M: 5.53%
• 1Y: 15.25%
• 3Y*: 14.64%
• 5Y*: 9.19%
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHK vs. PAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SCHK Schwab 1000 Index ETF	11.59%	17.23%	24.48%	26.63%	-19.51%	26.17%	20.75%	9.74%
PAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August	5.02%	12.34%	15.37%	17.71%	-6.85%	7.58%	9.82%	4.30%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHK and PAUG is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 2, 2019	0.92

The correlation between SCHK and PAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHK vs. PAUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHK	PAUG
Technology	35.1%	36.2%
Financial Services	12.0%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.3%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Industrials	9.2%	8.1%
Healthcare	8.6%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.9%
Energy	3.6%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.2%	1.9%
Basic Materials	2.0%	1.8%

Return for Risk

SCHK vs. PAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHK

SCHK Risk / Return Rank: 72
SCHK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SCHK Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
SCHK Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SCHK Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
SCHK Martin Ratio Rank: 77

PAUG

PAUG Risk / Return Rank: 87
PAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
PAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
PAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
PAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

SCHK vs. PAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab 1000 Index ETF (SCHK) and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG). 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.

	SCHK	PAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.74	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	4.06	-0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.59	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	3.87	-0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.67	21.13	-6.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHK vs. PAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHK Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the PAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHK and PAUG, 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

	SCHK	PAUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.74	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	1.06	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.88	-0.10

Drawdowns

SCHK vs. PAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHK drawdown since its inception was -34.80%, which is greater than PAUG's maximum drawdown of -17.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHK and PAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHK	PAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.80%	-17.88%	-16.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.97%	-3.96%	-5.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.21%	-10.45%	-8.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.44%	-11.76%	-13.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	0.00%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.18%	-1.81%	-3.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	0.72%	+1.22%

Volatility

SCHK vs. PAUG - Volatility Comparison

Schwab 1000 Index ETF (SCHK) has a higher volatility of 2.94% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG) at 0.56%. This indicates that SCHK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PAUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHK	PAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	0.56%	+2.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.18%	4.18%	+5.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.16%	5.58%	+6.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.23%	8.71%	+8.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.11%	10.59%	+8.52%

SCHK vs. PAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHK has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than PAUG's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHK vs. PAUG - Dividend Comparison

SCHK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, while PAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHK Schwab 1000 Index ETF	1.00%	1.09%	1.20%	1.38%	1.57%	1.17%	1.58%	1.82%	1.80%	0.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHK and PAUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, SCHK and PAUG 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, SCHK or PAUG?

SCHK has higher volatility (2.94%) compared to PAUG (0.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHK dropped -34.80% vs PAUG's -17.88%.

Which ETF is better, SCHK or PAUG?

On 5-year performance, SCHK leads with 13.25% vs 9.19% for PAUG. On fees, SCHK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, PAUG has been the lower-risk option at 0.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHK or PAUG?

Over the 5-year period, SCHK has performed better with a 13.25% return vs 9.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHK or PAUG?

SCHK is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for PAUG.

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

SCHK has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.00% for PAUG.

What is the main difference between SCHK and PAUG?

SCHK is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while PAUG is Defined Outcome. SCHK tracks Schwab 1000 Index, while PAUG tracks Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect August Series Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SCHK and 0.79% for PAUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 2.34), 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.