Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF (KAUG) Performance
KAUG total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +6.3% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +7.6% total return
- Since first price
- +15.3% since 2024
KAUG trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | KAUG total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −1.0% | −1.0% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −1.9% | −1.9% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +1.1% | +1.1% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +6.3% | +6.3% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +7.6% | +7.6% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionAug 1, 2024 | +15.3% | +15.3% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: KAUG vs SPY
From Aug 1, 2024: KAUG grew to $11,531, SPY to $14,362.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
KAUG returns by calendar year
1 of 1 full years positive. Best 2025 (+5.5%), worst 2025 (+5.5%). 2026 is year to date.
KAUG annual returns table
| Year | KAUG | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +6.3% | −5.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +5.5% | −14.0% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
KAUG largest drawdowns
Now 4.4% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 25, 2024 | −15.7% | Apr 8, 2025 | Oct 20, 2025 | 4 months | 11 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
KAUG risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2024 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +6.5% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.2% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.32 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.49 |
| Best month | +5.9% |
| Worst month | −4.3% |
| Best 12 months | +17.9% |
| Worst 12 months | +0.6% |
| Positive months | 68% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
KAUG rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 15 | +0.6% | +9.0% | +17.9% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2024. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
KAUG performance overview
Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF (KAUG) returned +7.6% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Aug 1, 2024 it has returned +15.3%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −15.7%, from Nov 25, 2024 to Apr 8, 2025, and it took 6 months to get back to the old high. Volatility has been 8.2% a year.
Related: KAUG chart. See the KAUG overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
KAUG performance FAQ
What is the KAUG return over the past year?
KAUG returned +7.6% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 7.6%.
How much would $10,000 invested in KAUG be worth?
$10,000 invested in KAUG at its first recorded close on August 1, 2024 would be worth about $11,531 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What is the biggest drawdown of KAUG?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −15.7% between November 25, 2024 and April 8, 2025. It recovered to the old high on October 20, 2025, 6 months after the bottom.
How volatile is KAUG?
Over the past history KAUG had an annualized volatility of 8.2% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.32 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).