BOXA vs. AAUS

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BOXA (Alpha Architect Aggregate Bond ETF) and AAUS (Alpha Architect US Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BOXA is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while AAUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BOXA returned 1.11% vs 23.95% for AAUS. Their 0.25 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. BOXA charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for AAUS.

Performance

BOXA vs. AAUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect Aggregate Bond ETF (BOXA) and Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BOXA achieves a -0.69% return, which is significantly lower than AAUS's 10.23% return.

BOXA

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: -0.89%
• 6M: -0.89%
• YTD: -0.69%
• 1Y: 1.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.87%

AAUS

• 1D: 1.33%
• 1M: 1.73%
• 6M: 8.51%
• YTD: 10.23%
• 1Y: 23.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 20.70%

*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)
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	$2.46M	$1.39M	$544.73K
BOXA Alpha Architect Aggregate Bond ETF	$140.24K	$102.54K	$88.25K

BOXA vs. AAUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BOXA Alpha Architect Aggregate Bond ETF	-0.69%	2.61%
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	10.23%	10.11%

Correlation

The correlation between BOXA and AAUS is 0.27, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2025	0.25

Return for Risk

BOXA vs. AAUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BOXA

BOXA Risk / Return Rank: 16
BOXA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
BOXA Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
BOXA Omega Ratio Rank: 15
BOXA Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
BOXA Martin Ratio Rank: 17

AAUS

AAUS Risk / Return Rank: 76
AAUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
AAUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
AAUS Omega Ratio Rank: 75
AAUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
AAUS Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

BOXA vs. AAUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect Aggregate Bond ETF (BOXA) and Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS). 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.

	BOXA	AAUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.31	1.89	-1.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.45	2.62	-2.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.33	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.35	2.63	-2.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.85	10.86	-10.01

BOXA vs. AAUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BOXA Sharpe Ratio is 0.31, which is lower than the AAUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BOXA and AAUS, 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

BOXA vs. AAUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BOXA drawdown since its inception was -3.22%, smaller than the maximum AAUS drawdown of -9.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BOXA and AAUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BOXA	AAUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.22%	-9.13%	+5.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.22%	-9.13%	+5.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.54%	-0.06%	-2.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.87%	-1.43%	+0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.31%	2.21%	-0.90%

Volatility

BOXA vs. AAUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect Aggregate Bond ETF (BOXA) is 1.17%, while Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) has a volatility of 3.77%. This indicates that BOXA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AAUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BOXA	AAUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	3.77%	-2.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.91%	9.87%	-6.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.61%	12.78%	-9.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.12%	12.80%	-8.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.12%	12.80%	-8.68%

BOXA vs. AAUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

BOXA has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than AAUS's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BOXA vs. AAUS - Dividend Comparison

BOXA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%, less than AAUS's 0.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	0.33%	0.37%
BOXA Alpha Architect Aggregate Bond ETF	0.13%	0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BOXA and AAUS in my portfolio?

BOXA and AAUS have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BOXA or AAUS?

AAUS has higher volatility (3.77%) compared to BOXA (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BOXA dropped -3.22% vs AAUS's -9.13%.

Which ETF is better, BOXA or AAUS?

On 1-year performance, AAUS leads with 23.95% vs 1.11% for BOXA. On fees, AAUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, BOXA has been the lower-risk option at 1.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BOXA or AAUS?

Over the 1-year period, AAUS has performed better with a 23.95% return vs 1.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BOXA or AAUS?

AAUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for BOXA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BOXA or AAUS?

AAUS has the higher dividend yield at 0.33%, compared with 0.13% for BOXA.

What is the main difference between BOXA and AAUS?

BOXA is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while AAUS is Large Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for BOXA and 0.15% for AAUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 0.31), 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.