SAUG vs URTY
FT Vest US Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August vs ProShares UltraPro Russell2000
Which is better, SAUG or URTY?
Nearly the same fund. SAUG costs less.
SAUG has a lower expense ratio. URTY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | URTY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.90%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $128M | $273M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.94% |
| Holdings | 10 | 1,996 |
| YTD Return | +4.40% | +13.93%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.03% | +11.19%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.29% | +26.69%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | -9.94% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.1%Best | 60.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.6%Best | -66.0% |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $13,343 | $16,317Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Aug 18, 2023 | Feb 9, 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 Oct 14, 2026 (3.1 years).
SAUG vs URTY 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 URTY Performance
FT Vest US Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - August (SAUG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year SAUG returned +6.03% while URTY returned +11.19%. Year to date, SAUG is up 4.40% versus a gain of 13.93% for URTY.
Over three years, SAUG compounded at +11.29% per year against +26.69% for URTY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
URTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 60.1% 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 -66.0% for URTY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAUG charges 0.90% per year while URTY charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $90 vs $95 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAUG currently yields 0.00% against 0.94% for URTY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SAUG and URTY 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 URTY?
SAUG has an expense ratio of 0.90% while URTY charges 0.95%. SAUG is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SAUG or URTY?
Over the past year SAUG returned +6.03% vs +11.19% for URTY, so URTY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SAUG or URTY?
URTY has been the more volatile fund at 60.1% annualized versus 10.1% for SAUG. Worst drawdown: SAUG -14.6% vs URTY -66.0%.
Should I hold both SAUG and URTY?
SAUG and URTY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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, SAUG or URTY?
SAUG yields 0.00% while URTY yields 0.94%, so URTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is URTY better than SAUG?
SAUG has a lower expense ratio. URTY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.