SEPZ vs. SAUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SEPZ (TrueShares Structured Outcome (September) ETF) and SAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August) are both Options Trading funds. SEPZ is passively managed, while SAUG is actively managed. Over the past year, SEPZ returned 20.60% vs 19.51% for SAUG. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SEPZ charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for SAUG.

Performance

SEPZ vs. SAUG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEPZ achieves a 8.19% return, which is significantly higher than SAUG's 7.65% return.

SEPZ

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 4.17%
• YTD: 8.19%
• 6M: 8.10%
• 1Y: 20.60%
• 3Y*: 16.43%
• 5Y*: 11.53%
• 10Y*: —

SAUG

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

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

SEPZ vs. SAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SEPZ TrueShares Structured Outcome (September) ETF	8.19%	13.18%	18.23%	6.60%
SAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August	7.65%	8.23%	11.08%	6.26%

Correlation

The correlation between SEPZ and SAUG is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2023	0.75

The correlation between SEPZ and SAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SEPZ vs. SAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEPZ

SEPZ Risk / Return Rank: 63
SEPZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SEPZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SEPZ Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SEPZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SEPZ Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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

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.

SEPZ vs. SAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TrueShares Structured Outcome (September) ETF (SEPZ) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG). 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.

	SEPZ	SAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.05	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	3.11	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.39	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	4.78	-1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.83	15.56	-2.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEPZ vs. SAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEPZ Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the SAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEPZ and SAUG, 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

	SEPZ	SAUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	2.05	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.05	1.03	+0.01

Drawdowns

SEPZ vs. SAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEPZ drawdown since its inception was -15.22%, roughly equal to the maximum SAUG drawdown of -14.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEPZ and SAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEPZ	SAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.22%	-14.62%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.30%	-4.10%	-3.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.57%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.22%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-0.19%	-0.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.84%	-2.24%	-0.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	1.26%	+0.35%

Volatility

SEPZ vs. SAUG - Volatility Comparison

TrueShares Structured Outcome (September) ETF (SEPZ) has a higher volatility of 2.68% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG) at 1.22%. This indicates that SEPZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SAUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEPZ	SAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.68%	1.22%	+1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.28%	5.41%	+1.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.97%	9.59%	+0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.29%	11.81%	+0.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.46%	11.81%	+0.65%

SEPZ vs. SAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEPZ has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is lower than SAUG's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEPZ vs. SAUG - Dividend Comparison

SEPZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.03%, while SAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SEPZ TrueShares Structured Outcome (September) ETF	2.03%	2.20%	3.62%	3.55%	0.69%	0.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEPZ and SAUG in my portfolio?

SEPZ and SAUG have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEPZ or SAUG?

SEPZ has higher volatility (2.68%) compared to SAUG (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEPZ dropped -15.22% vs SAUG's -14.62%.

Which ETF is better, SEPZ or SAUG?

On 1-year performance, SEPZ leads with 20.60% vs 19.51% for SAUG. On fees, SEPZ is cheaper at 0.80% 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, SEPZ or SAUG?

Over the 1-year period, SEPZ has performed better with a 20.60% return vs 19.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEPZ or SAUG?

SEPZ is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SAUG.

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

SEPZ has the higher dividend yield at 2.03%, compared with 0.00% for SAUG.

What is the main difference between SEPZ and SAUG?

They also come from different issuers: TrueShares and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for SEPZ and 0.90% for SAUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEPZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 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.