AVUV vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVUV returned 18.46%/yr vs 4.15%/yr for CAOS. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AVUV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

AVUV vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) 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, AVUV achieves a 18.87% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.81% return.

AVUV

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 18.87%
• 6M: 18.74%
• 1Y: 36.82%
• 3Y*: 18.46%
• 5Y*: 10.85%
• 10Y*: —

CAOS

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 0.81%
• 6M: 0.65%
• 1Y: 1.88%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AVUV vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	18.87%	7.44%	9.28%	12.71%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.81%	2.55%	5.33%	7.97%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUV and CAOS is -0.30, 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	-0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2023	0.02

The correlation between AVUV and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.30 (1 year) to 0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AVUV vs. CAOS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUV	CAOS
Financial Services	25.8%	12.4%
Energy	18.2%	4.1%
Consumer Cyclical	18.0%	10.0%
Industrials	13.9%	8.5%
Technology	7.0%	33.1%
Basic Materials	4.9%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	5.4%
Healthcare	4.2%	9.6%
Communication Services	2.8%	10.4%
Real Estate	0.7%	2.0%
Utilities	0.1%	2.6%

Return for Risk

AVUV vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 76
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 68
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 79

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 45
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 44
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

AVUV vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) 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.

	AVUV	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	1.23	+0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	1.97	+1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.25	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.65	2.49	+2.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.81	6.17	+7.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVUV vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUV Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is higher than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUV 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AVUV	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	1.23	+0.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	1.21	-0.64

Drawdowns

AVUV vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUV drawdown since its inception was -49.42%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUV and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUV	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.42%	-3.60%	-45.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.95%	-0.76%	-7.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.79%	-3.60%	-25.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-1.08%	+0.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.94%	-0.90%	-7.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	0.31%	+2.36%

Volatility

AVUV vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) has a higher volatility of 4.29% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.29%. This indicates that AVUV'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

	AVUV	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.29%	0.29%	+4.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.39%	1.04%	+10.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.57%	1.53%	+16.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.75%	4.25%	+18.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.29%	4.25%	+24.04%

AVUV vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVUV vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

AVUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.28%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUV and CAOS in my portfolio?

AVUV and CAOS have a correlation of -0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVUV or CAOS?

AVUV has higher volatility (4.29%) compared to CAOS (0.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUV dropped -49.42% vs CAOS's -3.60%.

Which ETF is better, AVUV or CAOS?

On 3-year performance, AVUV leads with 18.46% vs 4.15% for CAOS. On fees, AVUV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUV or CAOS?

Over the 3-year period, AVUV has performed better with a 18.46% return vs 4.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUV or CAOS?

AVUV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for CAOS.

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

AVUV has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between AVUV and CAOS?

AVUV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AVUV and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.23), 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.