BUYW vs PAUG
Main BuyWrite ETF vs Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - August
Which is better, BUYW or PAUG?
PAUG has been ahead.
PAUG has a lower expense ratio. PAUG led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BUYW | PAUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.79%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $1.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.91% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 44 | 18 |
| YTD Return | +1.96% | +8.89%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.42% | +11.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.50% | +14.76%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.93% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5%Best | 7.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.4%Best | -10.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $13,888 | $16,214Best |
| Fund Family | Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Dec 29, 2015 | Aug 1, 2019 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2022 to Oct 12, 2026 (4.1 years).
BUYW vs PAUG growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 4.1 years both funds cover.
BUYW vs PAUG Performance
Main BuyWrite ETF (BUYW) is an ETF from Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC and Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year BUYW returned +3.42% while PAUG returned +11.31%. Year to date, BUYW is up 1.96% versus a gain of 8.89% for PAUG.
Over three years, BUYW compounded at +7.50% per year against +14.76% for PAUG. Across the full 4-year window we track, PAUG has the edge at +12.51% annualized vs +8.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PAUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.1% compared with 4.5% for BUYW. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -9.4% for BUYW and -10.4% for PAUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUYW charges 0.99% per year while PAUG charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $79 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUYW currently yields 5.91% against 0.00% for PAUG.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUYW and PAUG you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BUYW or PAUG?
BUYW has an expense ratio of 0.99% while PAUG charges 0.79%. PAUG is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUYW or PAUG?
Over the past year BUYW returned +3.42% vs +11.31% for PAUG, so PAUG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BUYW annualized +8.34% vs +12.51% for PAUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUYW or PAUG?
PAUG has been the more volatile fund at 7.1% annualized versus 4.5% for BUYW. Worst drawdown: BUYW -9.4% vs PAUG -10.4%.
Should I hold both BUYW and PAUG?
BUYW and PAUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUYW or PAUG?
BUYW yields 5.91% while PAUG yields 0.00%, so BUYW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PAUG better than BUYW?
PAUG has a lower expense ratio. PAUG led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.