BAFE vs. AFOS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BAFE (Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF) and AFOS (ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BAFE charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for AFOS.

Performance

BAFE vs. AFOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) and ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BAFE achieves a 5.14% return, which is significantly lower than AFOS's 32.04% return.

BAFE

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 1.97%
• YTD: 5.14%
• 6M: 6.05%
• 1Y: 13.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AFOS

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 8.94%
• YTD: 32.04%
• 6M: 37.37%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BAFE vs. AFOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BAFE Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF	5.14%	4.94%
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	32.04%	36.15%

Correlation

The correlation between BAFE and AFOS is 0.68, 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 Jun 27, 2025	0.68

Return for Risk

BAFE vs. AFOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

BAFE

BAFE Risk / Return Rank: 28
BAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
BAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
BAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 30
BAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
BAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

BAFE vs. AFOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) and ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS). 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.

	BAFE	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.09	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.91	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BAFE	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.08	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	4.35	-3.80

Drawdowns

BAFE vs. AFOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAFE drawdown since its inception was -18.37%, which is greater than AFOS's maximum drawdown of -11.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAFE and AFOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAFE	AFOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.37%	-11.52%	-6.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.73%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.29%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.40%	-1.37%	-2.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.55%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BAFE	AFOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.62%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.80%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.94%	20.19%	-7.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.45%	20.19%	-2.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.45%	20.19%	-2.74%

BAFE vs. AFOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

BAFE has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is higher than AFOS's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

BAFE vs. AFOS - Dividend Comparison

BAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, more than AFOS's 0.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	0.22%	0.30%	0.00%
BAFE Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF	0.28%	0.30%	0.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAFE and AFOS in my portfolio?

BAFE and AFOS have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BAFE or AFOS?

On fees, AFOS is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BAFE or AFOS?

AFOS is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.54% for BAFE.

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

BAFE has the higher dividend yield at 0.28%, compared with 0.22% for AFOS.

What is the main difference between BAFE and AFOS?

They also come from different issuers: Brown Advisory and ARS Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for BAFE and 0.45% for AFOS.