ACEP vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ACEP (ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. ACEP is actively managed, while ITOT is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACEP charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

ACEP vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF (ACEP) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACEP achieves a 24.34% return, which is significantly higher than ITOT's 11.25% return.

ACEP

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 8.05%
• YTD: 24.34%
• 6M: 27.14%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ITOT

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 11.12%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 22.09%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

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

ACEP vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ACEP ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF	24.34%	7.88%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	11.25%	3.92%

Correlation

The correlation between ACEP and ITOT is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2025	0.81

ACEP vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACEP	ITOT
Technology	35.8%	33.8%
Financial Services	14.6%	12.1%
Energy	12.5%	3.7%
Basic Materials	12.2%	2.1%
Industrials	10.5%	9.5%
Healthcare	7.5%	9.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	4.7%
Real Estate	2.0%	2.4%
Communication Services	1.3%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	1.2%	10.1%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

ACEP vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 68
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

ACEP vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF (ACEP) 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACEP	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.32	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	4.41	0.57	+3.84

Drawdowns

ACEP vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACEP drawdown since its inception was -7.06%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACEP and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACEP	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.06%	-55.20%	+48.14%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.69%	-0.73%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.41%	-6.97%	+5.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.94%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ACEP	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.99%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.13%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.29%	12.20%	+5.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.29%	17.36%	-0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.29%	18.26%	-0.97%

ACEP vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACEP has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACEP vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

ACEP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than ITOT's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACEP ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF	0.11%	0.14%	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	0.98%	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

Can I hold both ACEP and ITOT in my portfolio?

ACEP and ITOT have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ACEP or ITOT?

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.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACEP or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for ACEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACEP or ITOT?

ITOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.11% for ACEP.

What is the main difference between ACEP and ITOT?

They also come from different issuers: ARS Investment Partners and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for ACEP and 0.03% for ITOT.