Data as of .
FAUG vs XAUG: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 FAUG can fall 1.8% before its buffer engages and XAUG 1.6%.
These are two different products. XAUG is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. FAUG is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.
Both are First Trust funds, so the difference between them is the terms rather than the house.
Where each one stands today
FAUG resets first, on Aug 20, 2027, 333 days from now; XAUG runs to Aug 20, 2027, 333 days. FAUG can still gain 15.2% before its cap, XAUG 9.5%. A fall from here reaches FAUG’s buffer after 1.8% and XAUG’s after 1.6%. Both track SPY, so what separates them is where each is in its own period.
Every figure is ETFIQ’s own, from the issuer’s published outcome-period terms. A buffer ETF holds FLEX options on its reference index rather than shares, so there is no holdings overlap between two of them to report.
Performance, window by window
| Window | Total return | Gap to the reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAUG | XAUG | FAUG | XAUG | |
| 3 months | +2.2% | +1.4% | 0.0 pts | −0.9 pts |
| 6 months | +11.5% | +7.0% | −6.5 pts | −11.0 pts |
| 1 year | +11.4% | +7.9% | −5.2 pts | −8.7 pts |
| 3 years | +50.0% | +31.6% | −28.4 pts | −46.8 pts |
| FAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August Absorbs the first 10% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 17.2%, over a period ending Aug 20, 2027 | XAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 11.1%, over a period ending Aug 20, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 10% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Aug 24, 2026 to Aug 20, 2027 | Aug 24, 2026 to Aug 20, 2027 |
| Days left | 333 | 333 |
| Starting cap | +17.2% | +11.1% |
| Can still gain | 15.2% | 9.5% |
| Fall before buffer | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Protection left, index points | 10.0% of 10.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +1.1% | +1.1% |
| Fund return this period | +1.0% | +0.8% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $1.3bn | $26m |
FAUG in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 15.2% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.8% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 1.0% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 10.0% of the 10.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 333 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Aug 20, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
XAUG in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 9.5% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.6% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. Protection left, in index points: 15.0% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, FAUG or XAUG?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, FAUG can gain about 15.2% before its cap and XAUG about 9.5%, so FAUG has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, FAUG or XAUG?
- FAUG ends its outcome period on Aug 20, 2027 and XAUG on Aug 20, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, FAUG or XAUG?
- FAUG charges 0.85% a year and XAUG charges 0.85%, so FAUG is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
Where these figures came from
ETFIQ links to the documents behind every figure. It is not affiliated with any issuer, and a link is not an endorsement.
Cite this page. ETFIQ, FAUG against XAUG, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/faug-vs-xaug Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.