ACWV vs. AFOS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ACWV (iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF) and AFOS (ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ACWV charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for AFOS.

Performance

ACWV vs. AFOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF (ACWV) and ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACWV achieves a 2.36% return, which is significantly lower than AFOS's 32.04% return.

ACWV

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: 1.01%
• YTD: 2.36%
• 6M: 2.56%
• 1Y: 4.79%
• 3Y*: 10.06%
• 5Y*: 5.47%
• 10Y*: 7.36%

AFOS

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 8.94%
• YTD: 32.04%
• 6M: 37.37%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ACWV vs. AFOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ACWV iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF	2.36%	2.23%
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	32.04%	36.15%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWV and AFOS is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2025	0.27

Return for Risk

ACWV vs. AFOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACWV

ACWV Risk / Return Rank: 18
ACWV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
ACWV Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
ACWV Omega Ratio Rank: 17
ACWV Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
ACWV Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

ACWV vs. AFOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF (ACWV) and ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS). 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.

	ACWV	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.62	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.92	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.76	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.37	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACWV	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	4.35	-3.64

Drawdowns

ACWV vs. AFOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWV drawdown since its inception was -28.82%, which is greater than AFOS's maximum drawdown of -11.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWV and AFOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWV	AFOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.82%	-11.52%	-17.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.37%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.56%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.14%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.92%	-0.29%	-2.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.11%	-1.37%	-1.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ACWV	AFOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.79%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.54%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.71%	20.19%	-12.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.23%	20.19%	-9.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.30%	20.19%	-7.89%

ACWV vs. AFOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWV has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than AFOS's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWV vs. AFOS - Dividend Comparison

ACWV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.04%, more than AFOS's 0.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWV iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF	2.04%	2.09%	2.33%	2.41%	2.18%	1.92%	1.77%	2.54%	2.32%	2.04%	2.56%	2.28%
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	0.22%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWV and AFOS in my portfolio?

ACWV and AFOS have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ACWV or AFOS?

On fees, ACWV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACWV or AFOS?

ACWV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for AFOS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACWV or AFOS?

ACWV has the higher dividend yield at 2.04%, compared with 0.22% for AFOS.

What is the main difference between ACWV and AFOS?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and ARS Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for ACWV and 0.45% for AFOS.