AAUS vs. WNTR

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

AAUS (Alpha Architect US Equity ETF) and WNTR (YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while WNTR is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, AAUS returned 24.12% vs 100.15% for WNTR. Their -0.47 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. AAUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for WNTR.

Performance

AAUS vs. WNTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) and YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAUS achieves a 12.14% return, which is significantly higher than WNTR's 6.73% return.

AAUS

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.61%
• 6M: 11.93%
• YTD: 12.14%
• 1Y: 24.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 22.60%

WNTR

• 1D: -1.10%
• 1M: 5.18%
• 6M: -1.23%
• YTD: 6.73%
• 1Y: 100.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 43.34%

*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)
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	$1.83M	$1.34M	$550.38K
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	$4.24M	$3.75M	$3.99M

AAUS vs. WNTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	12.14%	10.11%
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	6.73%	102.40%

Correlation

The correlation between AAUS and WNTR is -0.47, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2025	-0.47

Return for Risk

AAUS vs. WNTR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AAUS

AAUS Risk / Return Rank: 72
AAUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
AAUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
AAUS Omega Ratio Rank: 71
AAUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
AAUS Martin Ratio Rank: 76

WNTR

WNTR Risk / Return Rank: 58
WNTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
WNTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
WNTR Omega Ratio Rank: 58
WNTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
WNTR Martin Ratio Rank: 46

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AAUS vs. WNTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) and YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). 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	WNTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.85	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	2.18	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.29	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	2.36	+0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.94	5.96	+4.98

AAUS vs. WNTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the WNTR Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAUS and WNTR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AAUS vs. WNTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAUS drawdown since its inception was -9.13%, smaller than the maximum WNTR drawdown of -42.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAUS and WNTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAUS	WNTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.13%	-42.65%	+33.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.13%	-42.65%	+33.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-12.93%	+12.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.42%	-20.10%	+18.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	16.86%	-14.65%

Volatility

AAUS vs. WNTR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) is 4.06%, while YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR) has a volatility of 12.79%. This indicates that AAUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WNTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAUS	WNTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.06%	12.79%	-8.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.97%	46.85%	-36.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.76%	54.57%	-41.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.87%	53.24%	-40.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.87%	53.24%	-40.37%

AAUS vs. WNTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than WNTR's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAUS vs. WNTR - Dividend Comparison

AAUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, less than WNTR's 111.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	0.33%	0.37%
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	111.06%	58.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAUS and WNTR in my portfolio?

AAUS and WNTR have a correlation of -0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAUS or WNTR?

WNTR has higher volatility (12.79%) compared to AAUS (4.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAUS dropped -9.13% vs WNTR's -42.65%.

Which ETF is better, AAUS or WNTR?

On 1-year performance, WNTR leads with 100.15% vs 24.12% for AAUS. On fees, AAUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, AAUS has been the lower-risk option at 4.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AAUS or WNTR?

Over the 1-year period, WNTR has performed better with a 100.15% return vs 24.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAUS or WNTR?

AAUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for WNTR.

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

WNTR has the higher dividend yield at 111.06%, compared with 0.33% for AAUS.

What is the main difference between AAUS and WNTR?

AAUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while WNTR is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AAUS and 1.00% for WNTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.85), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.