PAUG vs WDTE
Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - August vs Defiance S&P 500 Weekly Distribution ETF
Which is better, PAUG or WDTE?
WDTE has been ahead.
PAUG has a lower expense ratio. WDTE 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 | PAUG | WDTE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79%Best | 1.03% |
| AUM | $1.1B | $73M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 32.78% |
| Holdings | 18 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +8.30% | +13.58%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.79% | +16.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.33% | +14.59%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.63% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.2%Best | 10.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.4%Best | -15.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $14,852 | $15,076Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Defiance ETFs, LLC |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Aug 1, 2019 | Sep 18, 2023 |
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: Sep 19, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.1 years).
PAUG vs WDTE 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.
PAUG vs WDTE Performance
Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Defiance S&P 500 Weekly Distribution ETF (WDTE) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC. Over the past year PAUG returned +10.79% while WDTE returned +16.98%. Year to date, PAUG is up 8.30% versus a gain of 13.58% for WDTE.
Over three years, PAUG compounded at +14.33% per year against +14.59% for WDTE.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WDTE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.2% compared with 6.2% for PAUG. 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 -10.4% for PAUG and -15.8% for WDTE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PAUG charges 0.79% per year while WDTE charges 1.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $103 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PAUG currently yields 0.00% against 32.78% for WDTE.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PAUG and WDTE 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, PAUG or WDTE?
PAUG has an expense ratio of 0.79% while WDTE charges 1.03%. PAUG is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PAUG or WDTE?
Over the past year PAUG returned +10.79% vs +16.98% for WDTE, so WDTE leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PAUG or WDTE?
WDTE has been the more volatile fund at 10.2% annualized versus 6.2% for PAUG. Worst drawdown: PAUG -10.4% vs WDTE -15.8%.
Should I hold both PAUG and WDTE?
PAUG and WDTE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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, PAUG or WDTE?
PAUG yields 0.00% while WDTE yields 32.78%, so WDTE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDTE better than PAUG?
PAUG has a lower expense ratio. WDTE 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.