ALIL vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ALIL (Argent Focused Small Cap ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ALIL is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Argent, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ALIL returned 16.19% vs 1.62% for CAOS. At a correlation of -0.30, they often move in opposite directions. ALIL charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

ALIL vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Argent Focused Small Cap ETF (ALIL) and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALIL achieves a 11.27% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.71% return.

ALIL

• 1D: -1.86%
• 1M: 5.55%
• YTD: 11.27%
• 6M: 8.99%
• 1Y: 16.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CAOS

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.12%
• YTD: 0.71%
• 6M: 0.61%
• 1Y: 1.62%
• 3Y*: 3.94%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ALIL vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ALIL Argent Focused Small Cap ETF	11.27%	16.27%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.71%	-1.87%

Correlation

The correlation between ALIL and CAOS is -0.25, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2025	-0.30

Return for Risk

ALIL vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALIL

ALIL Risk / Return Rank: 27
ALIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
ALIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
ALIL Omega Ratio Rank: 23
ALIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
ALIL Martin Ratio Rank: 29

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 36
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 34
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

ALIL vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Argent Focused Small Cap ETF (ALIL) and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). 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.

	ALIL	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	1.08	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.38	1.72	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.22	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.29	2.15	-0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.77	5.18	-1.41

ALIL vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALIL Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is comparable to the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALIL and CAOS, 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

ALIL vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALIL drawdown since its inception was -12.60%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALIL and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALIL	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.60%	-3.89%	-8.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.60%	-0.76%	-11.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.86%	-1.18%	-0.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.07%	-0.92%	-2.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.31%	0.32%	+3.99%

Volatility

ALIL vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

Argent Focused Small Cap ETF (ALIL) has a higher volatility of 6.72% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.32%. This indicates that ALIL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CAOS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALIL	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.72%	0.32%	+6.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.16%	1.05%	+13.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.10%	1.50%	+17.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.79%	4.23%	+16.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.79%	4.23%	+16.56%

ALIL vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALIL has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALIL vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

ALIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
ALIL Argent Focused Small Cap ETF	0.42%	0.47%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALIL and CAOS in my portfolio?

ALIL and CAOS have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALIL or CAOS?

ALIL has higher volatility (6.72%) compared to CAOS (0.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALIL dropped -12.60% vs CAOS's -3.89%.

Which ETF is better, ALIL or CAOS?

On 1-year performance, ALIL leads with 16.19% vs 1.62% for CAOS. On fees, CAOS is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ALIL or CAOS?

Over the 1-year period, ALIL has performed better with a 16.19% return vs 1.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ALIL or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for ALIL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ALIL or CAOS?

ALIL has the higher dividend yield at 0.42%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between ALIL and CAOS?

ALIL is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: Argent and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for ALIL and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAOS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 0.85), 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.