CAOS vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. CAOS is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CAOS returned 4.22%/yr vs 22.64%/yr for SPY. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CAOS charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

CAOS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CAOS achieves a 0.69% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return.

CAOS

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.21%
• YTD: 0.69%
• 6M: 0.56%
• 1Y: 1.79%
• 3Y*: 4.22%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

CAOS vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.69%	2.55%	5.33%	7.97%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	19.30%

Correlation

The correlation between CAOS and SPY is -0.34, 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	-0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2023	0.11

The correlation between CAOS and SPY shifts across timeframes, from -0.34 (1 year) to 0.11 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CAOS vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CAOS	SPY
Technology	33.1%	35.9%
Financial Services	12.4%	11.8%
Communication Services	10.4%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	10.3%
Healthcare	9.6%	8.4%
Industrials	8.5%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	4.8%
Energy	4.1%	3.6%
Utilities	2.6%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.8%

Return for Risk

CAOS vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 39
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 37
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 39

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

CAOS vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	CAOS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.18	2.52	-1.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	3.42	-1.53
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.46	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	3.42	-0.98
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.13	15.93	-9.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CAOS vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CAOS Sharpe Ratio is 1.18, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CAOS and SPY, 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

	CAOS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.18	2.52	-1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.20	0.59	+0.61

Drawdowns

CAOS vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAOS drawdown since its inception was -3.60%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAOS and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAOS	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.60%	-55.19%	+51.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.76%	-8.88%	+8.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.60%	-18.76%	+15.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.19%	0.00%	-1.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.90%	-9.05%	+8.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	1.91%	-1.61%

Volatility

CAOS vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) is 0.22%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.75%. This indicates that CAOS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CAOS	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.22%	2.75%	-2.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.02%	8.89%	-7.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.52%	11.81%	-10.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.26%	17.05%	-12.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.26%	17.94%	-13.68%

CAOS vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

CAOS has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

CAOS vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CAOS and SPY in my portfolio?

CAOS and SPY have a correlation of -0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CAOS or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.75%) compared to CAOS (0.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAOS dropped -3.60% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, CAOS or SPY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 22.64% vs 4.22% for CAOS. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CAOS or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 22.64% return vs 4.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CAOS or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for CAOS.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between CAOS and SPY?

CAOS is categorized as Options Trading, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for CAOS and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.18), 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.