VT vs. PAUG

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and PAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August) are both exchange-traded funds - VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap 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, VT returned 11.15%/yr vs 9.23%/yr for PAUG. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VT charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for PAUG.

Performance

VT vs. PAUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) 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, VT achieves a 12.78% return, which is significantly higher than PAUG's 5.25% return.

VT

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: 3.39%
• YTD: 12.78%
• 6M: 13.56%
• 1Y: 29.41%
• 3Y*: 19.92%
• 5Y*: 11.15%
• 10Y*: 13.03%

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)

VT vs. PAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	12.78%	22.43%	16.49%	22.02%	-18.00%	18.27%	16.59%	9.20%
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 VT and PAUG is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2019	0.89

The correlation between VT and PAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

VT vs. PAUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VT	PAUG
Technology	27.8%	38.4%
Financial Services	15.9%	11.0%
Industrials	12.0%	7.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	10.0%
Communication Services	8.3%	10.8%
Healthcare	8.1%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.6%
Energy	4.3%	3.2%
Basic Materials	4.2%	1.7%
Utilities	2.7%	2.1%
Real Estate	2.4%	1.8%

Return for Risk

VT vs. PAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VT

VT Risk / Return Rank: 75
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

VT vs. PAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) 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.

	VT	PAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.80	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	4.19	-1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.60	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	3.92	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.29	21.35	-8.07

VT vs. PAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VT Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the PAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VT 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

VT vs. PAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, which is greater than PAUG's maximum drawdown of -17.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and PAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VT	PAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.27%	-17.88%	-32.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-3.96%	-5.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.51%	-10.45%	-6.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.38%	-11.76%	-14.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	0.00%	-0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.01%	-1.81%	-5.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	0.72%	+1.50%

Volatility

VT vs. PAUG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a higher volatility of 5.46% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG) at 1.01%. This indicates that VT'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

	VT	PAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.46%	1.01%	+4.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.11%	4.26%	+6.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.41%	5.55%	+7.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.17%	8.72%	+7.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.28%	10.58%	+6.70%

VT vs. PAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VT has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than PAUG's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

VT vs. PAUG - Dividend Comparison

VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, 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%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	1.58%	1.82%	1.95%	2.08%	2.20%	1.82%	1.66%	2.32%	2.53%	2.11%	2.39%	2.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VT and PAUG in my portfolio?

VT and PAUG have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VT or PAUG?

VT has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to PAUG (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs PAUG's -17.88%.

Which ETF is better, VT or PAUG?

On 5-year performance, VT leads with 11.15% vs 9.23% for PAUG. On fees, VT is cheaper at 0.06% 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, VT or PAUG?

Over the 5-year period, VT has performed better with a 11.15% return vs 9.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VT or PAUG?

VT is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for PAUG.

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

VT has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 0.00% for PAUG.

What is the main difference between VT and PAUG?

VT is categorized as Global Equities, while PAUG is Defined Outcome. VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap 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: 0.06% for VT and 0.79% for PAUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 2.21), 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.