AFOS vs. ESN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

AFOS (ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF) and ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. AFOS is actively managed, while ESN is passively managed. Over the past year, AFOS returned 67.94% vs 28.79% for ESN. Their 0.55 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AFOS charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for ESN.

Performance

AFOS vs. ESN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFOS achieves a 30.16% return, which is significantly higher than ESN's 17.69% return.

AFOS

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: -0.79%
• 6M: 17.12%
• YTD: 30.16%
• 1Y: 67.94%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 69.03%

ESN

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 0.63%
• 6M: 12.36%
• YTD: 17.69%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.00%

*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)
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	$467.12K	$455.93K	$471.80K
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	$2.27M	$1.62M	$1.62M

AFOS vs. ESN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	30.16%	37.10%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	17.69%	9.87%

Correlation

The correlation between AFOS and ESN is 0.56, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.55

The correlation between AFOS and ESN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AFOS vs. ESN — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFOS

AFOS Risk / Return Rank: 94
AFOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
AFOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
AFOS Omega Ratio Rank: 92
AFOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
AFOS Martin Ratio Rank: 95

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 94
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 93
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

AFOS vs. ESN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). 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.

	AFOS	ESN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.95	2.91	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	4.00	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.51	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.79	4.50	+1.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.79	18.06	+3.72

AFOS vs. ESN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFOS Sharpe Ratio is 2.95, which is comparable to the ESN Sharpe Ratio of 2.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFOS and ESN, 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

AFOS vs. ESN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFOS drawdown since its inception was -11.80%, smaller than the maximum ESN drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFOS and ESN.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFOS	ESN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.80%	-13.60%	+1.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.80%	-6.42%	-5.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.84%	0.00%	-4.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.81%	-1.80%	-0.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	1.60%	+1.53%

Volatility

AFOS vs. ESN - Volatility Comparison

ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS) has a higher volatility of 8.49% compared to Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) at 2.69%. This indicates that AFOS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFOS	ESN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.49%	2.69%	+5.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.31%	7.51%	+11.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.21%	9.97%	+13.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.38%	13.04%	+9.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.38%	13.04%	+9.34%

AFOS vs. ESN - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFOS has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than ESN's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFOS vs. ESN - Dividend Comparison

AFOS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than ESN's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	0.23%	0.30%	0.00%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.77%	0.91%	0.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFOS and ESN in my portfolio?

AFOS and ESN have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFOS or ESN?

AFOS has higher volatility (8.49%) compared to ESN (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFOS dropped -11.80% vs ESN's -13.60%.

Which ETF is better, AFOS or ESN?

On 1-year performance, AFOS leads with 67.94% vs 28.79% for ESN. On fees, AFOS is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, ESN has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFOS or ESN?

Over the 1-year period, AFOS has performed better with a 67.94% return vs 28.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFOS or ESN?

AFOS is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ESN.

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

ESN has the higher dividend yield at 0.77%, compared with 0.23% for AFOS.

What is the main difference between AFOS and ESN?

They also come from different issuers: ARS Investment Partners and KKM. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for AFOS and 0.70% for ESN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFOS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.95 vs 2.91), 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.