AAEQ vs. QVAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AAEQ (Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF) and QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAEQ is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while QVAL is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AAEQ charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for QVAL.

Performance

AAEQ vs. QVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF (AAEQ) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). 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 QVAL's 14.68% return.

AAEQ

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

QVAL

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 21.66%
• 5Y*: 12.15%
• 10Y*: 11.64%

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

AAEQ vs. QVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AAEQ Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF	8.91%	-1.99%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	14.68%	0.53%

Correlation

The correlation between AAEQ and QVAL is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2025	0.52

AAEQ vs. QVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AAEQ	QVAL
Technology	35.9%	16.7%
Financial Services	11.8%	-
Communication Services	11.7%	3.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	32.4%
Healthcare	8.6%	11.1%
Industrials	7.9%	15.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	7.9%
Energy	3.8%	5.5%
Utilities	2.4%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	7.6%
Real Estate	1.5%	2.0%

Return for Risk

AAEQ vs. QVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 69
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 57
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. QVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF (AAEQ) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). 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	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.07	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.56	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.09	0.49	+0.60

Drawdowns

AAEQ vs. QVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAEQ drawdown since its inception was -10.26%, smaller than the maximum QVAL drawdown of -51.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAEQ and QVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAEQ	QVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.26%	-51.49%	+41.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-6.04%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.41%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.17%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.49%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.78%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-7.80%	+5.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.13%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AAEQ	QVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.16%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.06%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.72%	14.44%	-0.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.72%	21.63%	-7.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.72%	22.79%	-9.07%

AAEQ vs. QVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAEQ has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than QVAL's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAEQ vs. QVAL - Dividend Comparison

AAEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than QVAL's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	1.46%	1.44%	1.72%	1.76%	2.00%	1.23%	1.86%	1.99%	1.64%	1.08%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAEQ and QVAL in my portfolio?

AAEQ and QVAL have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AAEQ or QVAL?

On fees, AAEQ is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAEQ or QVAL?

AAEQ is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for QVAL.

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

QVAL has the higher dividend yield at 1.46%, compared with 0.09% for AAEQ.

What is the main difference between AAEQ and QVAL?

AAEQ is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while QVAL is Mid Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AAEQ and 0.28% for QVAL.