AAUS vs. ITOT
AAUS (Alpha Architect US Equity ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. AAUS is actively managed, while ITOT is passively managed. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AAUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.
Performance
AAUS vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AAUS achieves a 6.59% return, which is significantly lower than ITOT's 8.94% return.
AAUS
- 1D
- -1.26%
- 1M
- -1.70%
- YTD
- 6.59%
- 6M
- 5.76%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ITOT
- 1D
- -1.30%
- 1M
- -0.81%
- YTD
- 8.94%
- 6M
- 7.85%
- 1Y
- 24.26%
- 3Y*
- 20.67%
- 5Y*
- 11.93%
- 10Y*
- 15.11%
AAUS vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF | 6.59% | 10.11% |
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 8.94% | 8.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between AAUS and ITOT is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2025 | 0.98 |
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Return for Risk
AAUS vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank
AAUS
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
ITOT
AAUS vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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 | ITOT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.34 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 2.74 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 12.14 | — |
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Drawdowns
AAUS vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AAUS drawdown since its inception was -9.13%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAUS and ITOT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AAUS | ITOT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -9.13% | -55.20% | +46.07% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -8.90% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -19.44% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -25.36% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.00% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.36% | -2.79% | -0.57% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.37% | -6.96% | +5.59% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 2.00% | — |
Volatility
AAUS vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| AAUS | ITOT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 4.96% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 10.06% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.91% | 12.85% | +0.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.91% | 17.46% | -4.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.91% | 18.28% | -5.37% |
AAUS vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison
AAUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio. However, 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. ITOT - Dividend Comparison
AAUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, less than ITOT's 1.02% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF | 0.35% | 0.37% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 1.02% | 1.11% | 1.23% | 1.47% | 1.66% | 1.18% | 1.41% | 1.88% | 2.14% | 1.69% | 1.83% | 2.01% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.98, AAUS and ITOT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for AAUS.
ITOT has the higher dividend yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.35% for AAUS.
They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AAUS and 0.03% for ITOT.
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