AAUB vs. BOXX

Last updated Jul 29, 2026

AAUB (Alpha Architect U.S. Equity 4 ETF) and BOXX (Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAUB is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while BOXX is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Solactive 1-3 Month US T-Bill Index. AAUB is actively managed, while BOXX is passively managed. Their -0.80 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. AAUB charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for BOXX.

Performance

AAUB vs. BOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect U.S. Equity 4 ETF (AAUB) and Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

AAUB

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

BOXX

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.40%
• 6M: 1.88%
• YTD: 2.17%
• 1Y: 4.08%
• 3Y*: 4.70%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.70%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AAUB Alpha Architect U.S. Equity 4 ETF	$149.14K	$149.14K	$149.14K
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	$213.08M	$252.51M	$269.92M

AAUB vs. BOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
AAUB Alpha Architect U.S. Equity 4 ETF	-0.65%
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	0.07%

Correlation

The correlation between AAUB and BOXX is -0.80, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2026	-0.80

Return for Risk

AAUB vs. BOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AAUB

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

BOXX

BOXX Risk / Return Rank: 100
BOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
BOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

AAUB vs. BOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect U.S. Equity 4 ETF (AAUB) and Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX). 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.

	AAUB	BOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	12.40	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	36.05	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	8.66	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	59.55	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	500.53	—

Drawdowns

AAUB vs. BOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAUB drawdown since its inception was -0.67%, which is greater than BOXX's maximum drawdown of -0.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAUB and BOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAUB	BOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.67%	-0.12%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.07%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-0.01%	-0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.38%	0.00%	-0.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.01%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AAUB	BOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.10%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.26%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.04%	0.33%	+3.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.04%	0.37%	+3.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.04%	0.37%	+3.67%

AAUB vs. BOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAUB has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than BOXX's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AAUB vs. BOXX - Dividend Comparison

Neither AAUB nor BOXX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AAUB Alpha Architect U.S. Equity 4 ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAUB and BOXX in my portfolio?

AAUB and BOXX have a correlation of -0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AAUB or BOXX?

On fees, AAUB is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAUB or BOXX?

AAUB is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for BOXX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAUB or BOXX?

AAUB and BOXX have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between AAUB and BOXX?

AAUB is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BOXX is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for AAUB and 0.19% for BOXX.