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AAEQ vs. QVAL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

AAEQ vs. QVAL

Last updated Jun 24, 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.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAEQ achieves a 5.97% return, which is significantly lower than QVAL's 14.09% return.

AAEQ

1D
-1.35%
1M
-1.80%
YTD
5.97%
6M
4.57%
1Y
—
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

QVAL

1D
0.01%
1M
0.88%
YTD
14.09%
6M
12.60%
1Y
28.74%
3Y*
20.50%
5Y*
12.15%
10Y*
11.91%
*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		5.97%-1.11%
QVAL
Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF		14.09%2.19%

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 10, 2025

0.52

AAEQ vs. QVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
AAEQ
QVAL

Technology

40.5%
8.3%

Communication Services

12.2%
6.0%

Financial Services

11.6%

-

Consumer Cyclical

9.1%
23.8%

Healthcare

9.0%
13.9%

Industrials

6.1%
14.1%

Consumer Defensive

4.5%
9.8%

Energy

2.9%
16.1%

Real Estate

1.6%
2.0%

Utilities

1.5%
2.0%

Basic Materials

1.1%
6.0%

Technology

AAEQ
40.5%
QVAL
8.3%

Communication Services

AAEQ
12.2%
QVAL
6.0%

Financial Services

AAEQ
11.6%
QVAL

-

Consumer Cyclical

AAEQ
9.1%
QVAL
23.8%

Healthcare

AAEQ
9.0%
QVAL
13.9%

Industrials

AAEQ
6.1%
QVAL
14.1%

Consumer Defensive

AAEQ
4.5%
QVAL
9.8%

Energy

AAEQ
2.9%
QVAL
16.1%

Real Estate

AAEQ
1.6%
QVAL
2.0%

Utilities

AAEQ
1.5%
QVAL
2.0%

Basic Materials

AAEQ
1.1%
QVAL
6.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF

Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF

Often compared with AAEQ:
AAEQ vs. BUFXAAEQ vs. BDGSAAEQ vs. BLCRAAEQ vs. HIDEAAEQ vs. CAOSAAEQ vs. BBLUAAEQ vs. DMAY
Often compared with QVAL:
QVAL vs. AVUVQVAL vs. VLUEQVAL vs. QQQQVAL vs. SNPEQVAL vs. VTVQVAL vs. VFLOQVAL vs. VBR

Return for Risk

AAEQ vs. QVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

QVAL
QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6262
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

AAEQQVALDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

—

1.96

—

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

—

3.03

—

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

—

1.33

—

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

—

4.78

—

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

—

13.37

—

AAEQ vs. QVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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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.

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Drawdown Indicators

AAEQQVALDifference

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

-3.43%

-2.47%

-0.96%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.43%

-7.76%

+5.33%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

—

2.15%

—

Volatility

AAEQ vs. QVAL - Volatility Comparison

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Volatility by Period

AAEQQVALDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

—

3.95%

—

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

—

10.21%

—

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.32%

14.71%

-0.39%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.32%

21.64%

-7.32%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.32%

22.78%

-8.46%

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 1.16% yield.

PositionTTM2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
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		1.16%1.44%1.72%1.76%2.00%1.23%1.86%1.99%1.64%1.08%1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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

QVAL has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 0.09% for AAEQ.

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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for AAEQ and QVAL

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