XDIV vs. GAUG

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

XDIV (Roundhill S&P 500 No Dividend Target ETF) and GAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August) are both exchange-traded funds - XDIV is a S&P 500 fund actively managed by Roundhill, while GAUG is a Options Trading fund tracking the S&P 500. XDIV is actively managed, while GAUG is passively managed. Over the past year, XDIV returned 21.49% vs 11.61% for GAUG. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XDIV charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for GAUG.

Performance

XDIV vs. GAUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Roundhill S&P 500 No Dividend Target ETF (XDIV) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XDIV achieves a 10.16% return, which is significantly higher than GAUG's 5.87% return.

XDIV

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 1.16%
• 6M: 8.21%
• YTD: 10.16%
• 1Y: 21.49%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GAUG

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 1.02%
• 6M: 4.99%
• YTD: 5.87%
• 1Y: 11.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XDIV vs. GAUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XDIV Roundhill S&P 500 No Dividend Target ETF	10.16%	10.07%
GAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August	5.87%	5.65%

Correlation

The correlation between XDIV and GAUG is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2025	0.91

The correlation between XDIV and GAUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XDIV vs. GAUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

XDIV

XDIV Risk / Return Rank: 65
XDIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XDIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
XDIV Omega Ratio Rank: 65
XDIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
XDIV Martin Ratio Rank: 71

GAUG

GAUG Risk / Return Rank: 84
GAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
GAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
GAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 87
GAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
GAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

XDIV vs. GAUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Roundhill S&P 500 No Dividend Target ETF (XDIV) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG). 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.

	XDIV	GAUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	2.11	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	3.14	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.42	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	2.91	-0.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.37	15.10	-4.73

XDIV vs. GAUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XDIV Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the GAUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XDIV and GAUG, 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

XDIV vs. GAUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XDIV drawdown since its inception was -9.16%, smaller than the maximum GAUG drawdown of -10.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XDIV and GAUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	XDIV	GAUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.16%	-10.08%	+0.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.16%	-4.01%	-5.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.09%	-0.15%	-0.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.27%	-0.71%	-0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	0.77%	+1.31%

Volatility

XDIV vs. GAUG - Volatility Comparison

Roundhill S&P 500 No Dividend Target ETF (XDIV) has a higher volatility of 3.99% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) at 1.09%. This indicates that XDIV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GAUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XDIV	GAUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	1.09%	+2.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.20%	4.37%	+5.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.71%	5.55%	+7.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.67%	7.43%	+5.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.67%	7.43%	+5.24%

XDIV vs. GAUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

XDIV has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than GAUG's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

XDIV vs. GAUG - Dividend Comparison

Neither XDIV nor GAUG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XDIV and GAUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, XDIV and GAUG 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, XDIV or GAUG?

XDIV has higher volatility (3.99%) compared to GAUG (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XDIV dropped -9.16% vs GAUG's -10.08%.

Which ETF is better, XDIV or GAUG?

On 1-year performance, XDIV leads with 21.49% vs 11.61% for GAUG. On fees, XDIV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, GAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XDIV or GAUG?

Over the 1-year period, XDIV has performed better with a 21.49% return vs 11.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XDIV or GAUG?

XDIV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for GAUG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XDIV or GAUG?

XDIV and GAUG have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between XDIV and GAUG?

XDIV is categorized as S&P 500, while GAUG is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: Roundhill and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XDIV and 0.85% for GAUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.70), 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.