AAEQ vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AAEQ (Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. AAEQ is actively managed, while ITOT is passively managed. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AAEQ charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

AAEQ vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF (AAEQ) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAEQ achieves a 8.91% return, which is significantly lower than ITOT's 11.25% return.

AAEQ

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 4.79%
• YTD: 8.91%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ITOT

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 11.12%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 22.09%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAEQ vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AAEQ Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF	8.91%	-1.99%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	11.25%	-0.75%

Correlation

The correlation between AAEQ and ITOT is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2025	0.98

AAEQ vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AAEQ	ITOT
Technology	35.9%	33.8%
Financial Services	11.8%	12.1%
Communication Services	11.7%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.6%	9.0%
Industrials	7.9%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	4.7%
Energy	3.8%	3.7%
Utilities	2.4%	2.3%
Basic Materials	1.7%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.5%	2.4%

Return for Risk

AAEQ vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 68
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAEQ vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF (AAEQ) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AAEQ	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.32	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.09	0.57	+0.51

Drawdowns

AAEQ vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAEQ drawdown since its inception was -10.26%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAEQ and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAEQ	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.26%	-55.20%	+44.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.90%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.44%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.73%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-6.97%	+4.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.94%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AAEQ	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.99%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.13%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.72%	12.20%	+1.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.72%	17.36%	-3.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.72%	18.26%	-4.54%

AAEQ vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAEQ has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AAEQ vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

AAEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than ITOT's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAEQ Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF	0.09%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	0.98%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAEQ and ITOT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, AAEQ and ITOT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, AAEQ or ITOT?

On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAEQ or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for AAEQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAEQ or ITOT?

ITOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.09% for AAEQ.

What is the main difference between AAEQ and ITOT?

They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AAEQ and 0.03% for ITOT.