VBR vs. PAUG

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) and PAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August) are both exchange-traded funds - VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value 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, VBR returned 8.62%/yr vs 9.23%/yr for PAUG. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VBR charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for PAUG.

Performance

VBR vs. PAUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) 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, VBR achieves a 14.49% return, which is significantly higher than PAUG's 5.25% return.

VBR

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 6.08%
• YTD: 14.49%
• 6M: 12.98%
• 1Y: 29.82%
• 3Y*: 16.12%
• 5Y*: 8.62%
• 10Y*: 10.95%

PAUG

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 1.02%
• YTD: 5.25%
• 6M: 5.77%
• 1Y: 15.45%
• 3Y*: 13.76%
• 5Y*: 9.23%
• 10Y*: —

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

VBR vs. PAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	14.49%	9.09%	12.40%	16.00%	-9.38%	28.08%	5.90%	5.38%
PAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August	5.25%	12.34%	15.37%	17.71%	-6.85%	7.58%	9.82%	3.60%

Correlation

The correlation between VBR and PAUG is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2019	0.73

The correlation between VBR and PAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

VBR vs. PAUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VBR	PAUG
Industrials	18.1%	7.9%
Financial Services	17.6%	11.0%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	10.0%
Technology	10.6%	38.4%
Real Estate	10.1%	1.8%
Healthcare	7.9%	8.4%
Basic Materials	6.3%	1.7%
Energy	5.2%	3.2%
Utilities	4.8%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	4.6%
Communication Services	2.5%	10.8%

Return for Risk

VBR vs. PAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 69
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 72

PAUG

PAUG Risk / Return Rank: 90
PAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
PAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 93
PAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
PAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

VBR vs. PAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VBR	PAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.80	-0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	4.19	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.60	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	3.92	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.97	21.35	-9.38

VBR vs. PAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBR Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the PAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBR 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.

Drawdowns

VBR vs. PAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBR drawdown since its inception was -61.98%, which is greater than PAUG's maximum drawdown of -17.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBR and PAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBR	PAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.98%	-17.88%	-44.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.85%	-3.96%	-4.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.19%	-10.45%	-13.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.19%	-11.76%	-12.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	0.00%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.26%	-1.81%	-6.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.50%	0.72%	+1.78%

Volatility

VBR vs. PAUG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) has a higher volatility of 4.43% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG) at 1.01%. This indicates that VBR'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

	VBR	PAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	1.01%	+3.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.61%	4.26%	+6.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.31%	5.55%	+9.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.79%	8.72%	+11.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.75%	10.58%	+11.17%

VBR vs. PAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

VBR vs. PAUG - Dividend Comparison

VBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.72%, while PAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.72%	1.95%	1.98%	2.12%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBR and PAUG in my portfolio?

VBR and PAUG have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBR or PAUG?

VBR has higher volatility (4.43%) compared to PAUG (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBR dropped -61.98% vs PAUG's -17.88%.

Which ETF is better, VBR or PAUG?

On 5-year performance, PAUG leads with 9.23% vs 8.62% for VBR. On fees, VBR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, PAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VBR or PAUG?

Over the 5-year period, PAUG has performed better with a 9.23% return vs 8.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBR or PAUG?

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

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

VBR has the higher dividend yield at 1.72%, compared with 0.00% for PAUG.

What is the main difference between VBR and PAUG?

VBR is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while PAUG is Defined Outcome. VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, while PAUG tracks Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect August Series Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VBR and 0.79% for PAUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 1.96), 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.