AQEC vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AQEC (AQE Core ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. AQEC is actively managed, while ITOT is passively managed. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AQEC charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

AQEC vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AQE Core ETF (AQEC) 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, AQEC achieves a -7.82% return, which is significantly lower than ITOT's 11.25% return.

AQEC

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: -1.25%
• YTD: -7.82%
• 6M: -7.01%
• 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)

AQEC vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AQEC AQE Core ETF	-7.82%	3.71%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	11.25%	3.73%

Correlation

The correlation between AQEC and ITOT is 0.65, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2025	0.65

Return for Risk

AQEC 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.

AQEC vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AQE Core ETF (AQEC) 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

	AQEC	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	-0.67	0.57	-1.25

Drawdowns

AQEC vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AQEC drawdown since its inception was -12.81%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AQEC and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	AQEC	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.81%	-55.20%	+42.39%
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	-10.12%	-0.73%	-9.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.79%	-6.97%	+2.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.94%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AQEC	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	12.07%	12.20%	-0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.07%	17.36%	-5.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.07%	18.26%	-6.19%

AQEC vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

AQEC has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

AQEC vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

AQEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, less than ITOT's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AQEC AQE Core ETF	0.54%	0.13%	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 AQEC and ITOT in my portfolio?

AQEC and ITOT have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AQEC 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, AQEC or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for AQEC.

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

ITOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.54% for AQEC.

What is the main difference between AQEC and ITOT?

They also come from different issuers: Arlington Asset Management and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for AQEC and 0.03% for ITOT.