AFOS vs. IBIC

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

AFOS (ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF) and IBIC (iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AFOS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by ARS Investment Partners, while IBIC is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. AFOS is actively managed, while IBIC is passively managed. Over the past year, AFOS returned 67.94% vs 4.12% for IBIC. Their -0.21 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. AFOS charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IBIC.

Performance

AFOS vs. IBIC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). 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 IBIC's 2.67% return.

AFOS

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

IBIC

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.22%
• 6M: 2.43%
• YTD: 2.67%
• 1Y: 4.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.25%

*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
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	$1.04M	$841.31K	$530.52K

AFOS vs. IBIC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	30.16%	37.10%
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	2.67%	1.98%

Correlation

The correlation between AFOS and IBIC is -0.20, 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.	-0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	-0.21

Return for Risk

AFOS vs. IBIC — 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

IBIC

IBIC Risk / Return Rank: 98
IBIC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Omega Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
IBIC Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. IBIC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). 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	IBIC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.95	4.67	-1.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	8.28	-4.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	2.12	-0.64
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.79	15.46	-9.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.79	52.95	-31.17

AFOS vs. IBIC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFOS Sharpe Ratio is 2.95, which is lower than the IBIC Sharpe Ratio of 4.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFOS and IBIC, 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. IBIC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFOS drawdown since its inception was -11.80%, which is greater than IBIC's maximum drawdown of -0.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFOS and IBIC.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFOS	IBIC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.80%	-0.90%	-10.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.80%	-0.27%	-11.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.84%	-0.08%	-4.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.81%	-0.10%	-1.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	0.08%	+3.05%

Volatility

AFOS vs. IBIC - Volatility Comparison

ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS) has a higher volatility of 8.49% compared to iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC) at 0.23%. This indicates that AFOS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBIC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFOS	IBIC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.49%	0.23%	+8.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.31%	0.69%	+18.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.21%	0.89%	+22.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.38%	1.54%	+20.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.38%	1.54%	+20.84%

AFOS vs. IBIC - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFOS has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIC's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFOS vs. IBIC - Dividend Comparison

AFOS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than IBIC's 4.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	0.23%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	4.62%	4.43%	4.65%	0.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFOS and IBIC in my portfolio?

AFOS and IBIC have a correlation of -0.20, 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 IBIC?

AFOS has higher volatility (8.49%) compared to IBIC (0.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFOS dropped -11.80% vs IBIC's -0.90%.

Which ETF is better, AFOS or IBIC?

On 1-year performance, AFOS leads with 67.94% vs 4.12% for IBIC. On fees, IBIC is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, IBIC has been the lower-risk option at 0.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFOS or IBIC?

Over the 1-year period, AFOS has performed better with a 67.94% return vs 4.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFOS or IBIC?

IBIC is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for AFOS.

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

IBIC has the higher dividend yield at 4.62%, compared with 0.23% for AFOS.

What is the main difference between AFOS and IBIC?

AFOS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IBIC is Inflation-Protected Bonds. They also come from different issuers: ARS Investment Partners and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for AFOS and 0.10% for IBIC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.67 vs 2.95), 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.