COWS vs. QVAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

COWS (Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF) and QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. COWS is passively managed, while QVAL is actively managed. Over the past year, COWS returned 30.18% vs 29.65% for QVAL. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. COWS charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for QVAL.

Performance

COWS vs. QVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF (COWS) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COWS achieves a 9.22% return, which is significantly lower than QVAL's 14.68% return.

COWS

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 9.22%
• 6M: 9.70%
• 1Y: 30.18%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QVAL

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 21.66%
• 5Y*: 12.15%
• 10Y*: 11.64%

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

COWS vs. QVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
COWS Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF	9.22%	15.29%	11.08%	9.28%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	14.68%	10.98%	12.21%	8.97%

Correlation

The correlation between COWS and QVAL is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2023	0.90

The correlation between COWS and QVAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

COWS vs. QVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COWS	QVAL
Technology	21.0%	16.7%
Industrials	18.7%	15.0%
Financial Services	17.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	32.4%
Energy	8.2%	5.5%
Healthcare	8.0%	11.1%
Basic Materials	6.0%	7.6%
Communication Services	4.7%	3.8%
Utilities	2.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	7.9%
Real Estate	-	2.0%

Return for Risk

COWS vs. QVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

COWS

COWS Risk / Return Rank: 65
COWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
COWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
COWS Omega Ratio Rank: 53
COWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
COWS Martin Ratio Rank: 75

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 69
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 57
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

COWS vs. QVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF (COWS) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). 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.

	COWS	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	2.07	-0.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	3.21	-0.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.35	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.71	4.93	-0.22
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.35	13.98	+0.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

COWS vs. QVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWS Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the QVAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWS and QVAL, 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

	COWS	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	2.07	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.56	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.49	+0.41

Drawdowns

COWS vs. QVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWS drawdown since its inception was -24.76%, smaller than the maximum QVAL drawdown of -51.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWS and QVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	COWS	QVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.76%	-51.49%	+26.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.44%	-6.04%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.41%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.17%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.49%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-0.78%	-0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.95%	-7.80%	+3.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	2.13%	-0.02%

Volatility

COWS vs. QVAL - Volatility Comparison

Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF (COWS) has a higher volatility of 4.58% compared to Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) at 4.16%. This indicates that COWS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QVAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COWS	QVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	4.16%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.09%	10.06%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.21%	14.44%	+1.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.85%	21.63%	-2.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.85%	22.79%	-3.94%

COWS vs. QVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

COWS has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than QVAL's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

COWS vs. QVAL - Dividend Comparison

COWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.60%, more than QVAL's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
COWS Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF	1.60%	2.04%	2.08%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	1.46%	1.44%	1.72%	1.76%	2.00%	1.23%	1.86%	1.99%	1.64%	1.08%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COWS and QVAL in my portfolio?

COWS and QVAL have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COWS or QVAL?

COWS has higher volatility (4.58%) compared to QVAL (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWS dropped -24.76% vs QVAL's -51.49%.

Which ETF is better, COWS or QVAL?

On 1-year performance, COWS leads with 30.18% vs 29.65% for QVAL. On fees, COWS is cheaper at 0.00% per year. On volatility, QVAL has been the lower-risk option at 4.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COWS or QVAL?

Over the 1-year period, COWS has performed better with a 30.18% return vs 29.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COWS or QVAL?

COWS is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for QVAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, COWS or QVAL?

COWS has the higher dividend yield at 1.60%, compared with 1.46% for QVAL.

What is the main difference between COWS and QVAL?

They also come from different issuers: Amplify and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.00% for COWS and 0.28% for QVAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.88), 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.