AAUS vs. BOXX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

AAUS (Alpha Architect US Equity ETF) and BOXX (Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAUS 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. AAUS is actively managed, while BOXX is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.00, they often move in opposite directions. AAUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for BOXX.

Performance

AAUS vs. BOXX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAUS achieves a 9.11% return, which is significantly higher than BOXX's 2.06% return.

AAUS

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 0.35%
• 6M: 8.07%
• YTD: 9.11%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BOXX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.38%
• 6M: 1.88%
• YTD: 2.06%
• 1Y: 4.10%
• 3Y*: 4.71%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AAUS vs. BOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	9.11%	10.11%
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	2.06%	1.92%

Correlation

The correlation between AAUS and BOXX is -0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2025	-0.00

Return for Risk

AAUS vs. BOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AAUS

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: 100
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.

AAUS vs. BOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) 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.

	AAUS	BOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	12.51	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	36.36	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	8.83	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	59.89	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	504.46	—

Drawdowns

AAUS vs. BOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAUS drawdown since its inception was -9.13%, which is greater than BOXX's maximum drawdown of -0.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAUS and BOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAUS	BOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.13%	-0.12%	-9.01%
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	-1.08%	0.00%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.39%	-0.00%	-1.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.01%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AAUS	BOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.11%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.26%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.67%	0.33%	+12.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.67%	0.37%	+12.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.67%	0.37%	+12.30%

AAUS vs. BOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAUS has a 0.15% 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

AAUS vs. BOXX - Dividend Comparison

AAUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, while BOXX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	0.34%	0.37%	0.00%
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAUS and BOXX in my portfolio?

AAUS and BOXX have a correlation of -0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AAUS or BOXX?

On fees, AAUS 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, AAUS or BOXX?

AAUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for BOXX.

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

AAUS has the higher dividend yield at 0.34%, compared with 0.00% for BOXX.

What is the main difference between AAUS and BOXX?

AAUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BOXX is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AAUS and 0.19% for BOXX.