PAUG vs YQQQ
Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - August vs YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF
Which is better, PAUG or YQQQ?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
PAUG has a lower expense ratio. PAUG led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.79, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | YQQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79%Best | 1.11% |
| AUM | $1.1B | $26M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 35.64% |
| Holdings | 18 | 26 |
| YTD Return | +8.55%Best | -0.70% |
| 1Y Return | +11.01%Best | +0.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.40% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.59% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.7%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.4%Best | -29.1% |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $12,749Best | $8,607 |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Aug 1, 2019 | Aug 14, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 15, 2024 to Oct 15, 2026 (2.2 years).
PAUG vs YQQQ 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 2.2 years both funds cover.
PAUG vs YQQQ Performance
Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF (YQQQ) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year PAUG returned +11.01% while YQQQ returned +0.58%. Year to date, PAUG is up 8.55% versus a loss of 0.70% for YQQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
YQQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 5.7% 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 -29.1% for YQQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.79. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PAUG charges 0.79% per year while YQQQ charges 1.11%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $111 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PAUG currently yields 0.00% against 35.64% for YQQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PAUG and YQQQ 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 YQQQ?
PAUG has an expense ratio of 0.79% while YQQQ charges 1.11%. PAUG is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PAUG or YQQQ?
Over the past year PAUG returned +11.01% vs +0.58% for YQQQ, so PAUG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PAUG annualized +11.67% vs -6.59% for YQQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PAUG or YQQQ?
YQQQ has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 5.7% for PAUG. Worst drawdown: PAUG -10.4% vs YQQQ -29.1%.
Should I hold both PAUG and YQQQ?
PAUG and YQQQ have a monthly-return correlation of -0.79, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PAUG or YQQQ?
PAUG yields 0.00% while YQQQ yields 35.64%, so YQQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YQQQ better than PAUG?
PAUG has a lower expense ratio. PAUG led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.79, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.