PAUG vs ZDEK
Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - August vs Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December
Which is better, PAUG or ZDEK?
PAUG has been ahead.
PAUG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | ZDEK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79%Tie | 0.79%Tie |
| AUM | $1.1B | $107M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 18 | 15 |
| YTD Return | +8.30%Best | +4.72% |
| 1Y Return | +10.79%Best | +6.69% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.33% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.63% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.8% | 2.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -10.4% | -3.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $12,133Best | $11,265 |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Aug 1, 2019 | Nov 29, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 2, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.9 years).
PAUG vs ZDEK 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
PAUG vs ZDEK Performance
Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - August (PAUG) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr December (ZDEK) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year PAUG returned +10.79% while ZDEK returned +6.69%. Year to date, PAUG is up 8.30% versus a gain of 4.72% for ZDEK.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PAUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.8% compared with 2.8% for ZDEK. 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 -3.4% for ZDEK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PAUG charges 0.79% per year while ZDEK charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $79 annually. On income, PAUG currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for ZDEK.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PAUG and ZDEK 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 ZDEK?
PAUG has an expense ratio of 0.79% while ZDEK charges 0.79%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, PAUG or ZDEK?
Over the past year PAUG returned +10.79% vs +6.69% for ZDEK, so PAUG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PAUG annualized +10.71% vs +6.47% for ZDEK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PAUG or ZDEK?
PAUG has been the more volatile fund at 5.8% annualized versus 2.8% for ZDEK. Worst drawdown: PAUG -10.4% vs ZDEK -3.4%.
Should I hold both PAUG and ZDEK?
PAUG and ZDEK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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, PAUG or ZDEK?
PAUG yields 0.00% while ZDEK yields 0.00%, so ZDEK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZDEK better than PAUG?
PAUG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.