SAUG vs VOO
FT Vest US Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, SAUG or VOO?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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 | SAUG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.90% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $117M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 10 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +6.80% | +12.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.98% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.30% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.49% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.1%Best | 12.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.6%Best | -18.7% |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $13,743 | $18,159Best |
| 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 18, 2026 (3.1 years).
SAUG 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.
SAUG vs VOO Performance
FT Vest US Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG) 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 SAUG returned +8.98% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, SAUG is up 6.80% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, SAUG compounded at +11.30% per year against +21.37% 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 10.1% for SAUG. 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 -14.6% for SAUG 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAUG charges 0.90% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $90 vs $3 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAUG currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SAUG 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, SAUG or VOO?
SAUG has an expense ratio of 0.90% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SAUG or VOO?
Over the past year SAUG returned +8.98% vs +16.61% 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, SAUG or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 10.1% for SAUG. Worst drawdown: SAUG -14.6% vs VOO -18.7%.
Should I hold both SAUG and VOO?
SAUG and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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, SAUG or VOO?
SAUG yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than SAUG?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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.