VTV vs. PAUG

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

VTV (Vanguard Value ETF) and PAUG (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August) are both exchange-traded funds - VTV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large 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, VTV returned 12.12%/yr vs 9.23%/yr for PAUG. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTV charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for PAUG.

Performance

VTV vs. PAUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) 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, VTV achieves a 14.90% return, which is significantly higher than PAUG's 5.25% return.

VTV

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 5.60%
• YTD: 14.90%
• 6M: 14.16%
• 1Y: 28.57%
• 3Y*: 18.04%
• 5Y*: 12.12%
• 10Y*: 12.81%

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)

VTV vs. PAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	14.90%	15.27%	15.95%	9.32%	-2.09%	26.53%	2.33%	8.61%
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 VTV and PAUG is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2019	0.76

The correlation between VTV and PAUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.76 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VTV vs. PAUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTV	PAUG
Financial Services	22.3%	11.0%
Healthcare	14.5%	8.4%
Industrials	14.0%	7.9%
Technology	13.4%	38.4%
Consumer Defensive	9.4%	4.6%
Energy	8.1%	3.2%
Utilities	5.2%	2.1%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	10.0%
Communication Services	3.3%	10.8%
Basic Materials	3.1%	1.7%
Real Estate	2.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

VTV vs. PAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTV

VTV Risk / Return Rank: 89
VTV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VTV Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VTV Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VTV Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
VTV Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

VTV vs. PAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VTV	PAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.78	2.80	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	4.19	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.60	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.52	3.92	+0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.04	21.35	-4.32

VTV vs. PAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTV Sharpe Ratio is 2.78, which is comparable to the PAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTV 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

VTV vs. PAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTV drawdown since its inception was -59.27%, which is greater than PAUG's maximum drawdown of -17.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTV and PAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTV	PAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.27%	-17.88%	-41.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.35%	-3.96%	-2.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.52%	-10.45%	-4.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.04%	-11.76%	-5.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.78%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.86%	-1.81%	-6.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.68%	0.72%	+0.96%

Volatility

VTV vs. PAUG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) has a higher volatility of 3.35% compared to Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG) at 1.01%. This indicates that VTV'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

	VTV	PAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	1.01%	+2.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.80%	4.26%	+3.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.36%	5.55%	+4.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.93%	8.72%	+5.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.69%	10.58%	+6.11%

VTV vs. PAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTV has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than PAUG's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTV vs. PAUG - Dividend Comparison

VTV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, 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%
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	1.82%	2.05%	2.31%	2.46%	2.52%	2.15%	2.56%	2.50%	2.73%	2.29%	2.44%	2.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTV and PAUG in my portfolio?

VTV and PAUG have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTV or PAUG?

VTV has higher volatility (3.35%) compared to PAUG (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTV dropped -59.27% vs PAUG's -17.88%.

Which ETF is better, VTV or PAUG?

On 5-year performance, VTV leads with 12.12% vs 9.23% for PAUG. On fees, VTV is cheaper at 0.04% 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, VTV or PAUG?

Over the 5-year period, VTV has performed better with a 12.12% return vs 9.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTV or PAUG?

VTV is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for PAUG.

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

VTV has the higher dividend yield at 1.82%, compared with 0.00% for PAUG.

What is the main difference between VTV and PAUG?

VTV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while PAUG is Defined Outcome. VTV tracks CRSP US Large 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: 0.04% for VTV and 0.79% for PAUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 2.78), 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.