GAUG vs UPRO
FT Vest US Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August vs ProShares UltraPro S&P 500
Which is better, GAUG or UPRO?
Nearly the same fund. GAUG costs less.
GAUG has a lower expense ratio. UPRO 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 | UPRO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Best | 0.88% |
| AUM | $423M | $5.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.77% |
| Holdings | 10 | 520 |
| YTD Return | +7.64% | +29.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.03% | +38.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.32% | +51.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.0%Best | 39.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.1%Best | -49.1% |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $14,107 | $32,666Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Aug 18, 2023 | Jun 23, 2009 |
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 Oct 14, 2026 (3.1 years).
GAUG vs UPRO 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 UPRO Performance
FT Vest US Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August (GAUG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year GAUG returned +10.03% while UPRO returned +38.25%. Year to date, GAUG is up 7.64% versus a gain of 29.25% for UPRO.
Over three years, GAUG compounded at +12.32% per year against +51.43% for UPRO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPRO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 39.6% compared with 6.0% 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 -49.1% for UPRO. 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 UPRO charges 0.88%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $88 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAUG currently yields 0.00% against 0.77% for UPRO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GAUG and UPRO 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 UPRO?
GAUG has an expense ratio of 0.85% while UPRO charges 0.88%. GAUG is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GAUG or UPRO?
Over the past year GAUG returned +10.03% vs +38.25% for UPRO, so UPRO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GAUG or UPRO?
UPRO has been the more volatile fund at 39.6% annualized versus 6.0% for GAUG. Worst drawdown: GAUG -10.1% vs UPRO -49.1%.
Should I hold both GAUG and UPRO?
GAUG and UPRO 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 UPRO?
GAUG yields 0.00% while UPRO yields 0.77%, so UPRO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UPRO better than GAUG?
GAUG has a lower expense ratio. UPRO 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.