GAUG vs VOO
FT Vest US Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, GAUG or VOO?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.
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 | GAUG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $388M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 10 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +6.92% | +12.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.53% | +17.03%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.73% | +21.25%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.08% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.1%Best | 12.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.1%Best | -18.7% |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $14,127 | $18,149Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 18, 2023 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 21, 2023 to Sep 17, 2026 (3.1 years).
GAUG vs VOO 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 3.1 years both funds cover.
GAUG vs VOO Performance
FT Vest US Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GAUG returned +9.53% while VOO returned +17.03%. Year to date, GAUG is up 6.92% versus a gain of 12.25% for VOO.
Over three years, GAUG compounded at +11.73% per year against +21.25% for VOO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.8% compared with 6.1% for GAUG. 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 -10.1% for GAUG and -18.7% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAUG charges 0.85% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $3 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAUG currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GAUG and VOO 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, GAUG or VOO?
GAUG has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GAUG or VOO?
Over the past year GAUG returned +9.53% vs +17.03% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GAUG or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 6.1% for GAUG. Worst drawdown: GAUG -10.1% vs VOO -18.7%.
Should I hold both GAUG and VOO?
GAUG and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAUG or VOO?
GAUG yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than GAUG?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.