AAUB vs. QVAL

Last updated Jul 29, 2026

AAUB (Alpha Architect U.S. Equity 4 ETF) and QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAUB 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. Their -0.80 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. AAUB charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for QVAL.

Performance

AAUB vs. QVAL - 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 U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). 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*: —

QVAL

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 5.11%
• 6M: 16.21%
• YTD: 21.98%
• 1Y: 35.32%
• 3Y*: 19.42%
• 5Y*: 13.13%
• 10Y*: 11.83%
• ALL TIME*: 11.65%

*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
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	$1.38M	$1.78M	$1.45M

AAUB vs. QVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
AAUB Alpha Architect U.S. Equity 4 ETF	-0.65%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	2.76%

Correlation

The correlation between AAUB and QVAL 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. QVAL — 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.

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 93
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 90
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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. QVAL - 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 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.

	AAUB	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.47	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.72	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.42	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	5.88	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	17.84	—

Drawdowns

AAUB vs. QVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAUB drawdown since its inception was -0.67%, smaller than the maximum QVAL drawdown of -51.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAUB and QVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAUB	QVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.67%	-51.49%	+50.82%
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	-0.67%	0.00%	-0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.38%	-7.70%	+7.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.02%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AAUB	QVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.60%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.19%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.04%	14.41%	-10.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.04%	21.58%	-17.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.04%	22.71%	-18.67%

AAUB vs. QVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAUB has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than QVAL's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAUB vs. QVAL - Dividend Comparison

AAUB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.40%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
AAUB Alpha Architect U.S. Equity 4 ETF	0.00%	0.00%	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	1.40%	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 AAUB and QVAL in my portfolio?

AAUB and QVAL 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 QVAL?

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 QVAL?

AAUB is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for QVAL.

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

QVAL has the higher dividend yield at 1.40%, compared with 0.00% for AAUB.

What is the main difference between AAUB and QVAL?

AAUB is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while QVAL is Mid Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for AAUB and 0.28% for QVAL.