CWS vs. SPYG

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

CWS (AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF) and SPYG (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CWS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares, while SPYG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index. CWS is actively managed, while SPYG is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, CWS returned 8.23%/yr vs 13.86%/yr for SPYG. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CWS charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPYG.

Performance

CWS vs. SPYG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CWS achieves a 0.21% return, which is significantly lower than SPYG's 10.85% return.

CWS

• 1D: 1.68%
• 1M: 0.12%
• 6M: -4.21%
• YTD: 0.21%
• 1Y: -0.61%
• 3Y*: 8.35%
• 5Y*: 8.23%
• 10Y*: —

SPYG

• 1D: -1.66%
• 1M: -0.66%
• 6M: 10.35%
• YTD: 10.85%
• 1Y: 22.88%
• 3Y*: 24.76%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: 17.54%

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

CWS vs. SPYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	0.21%	6.43%	9.82%	25.06%	-10.42%	22.20%	17.12%	30.97%	-6.46%	20.92%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	10.85%	22.09%	35.99%	30.02%	-29.41%	32.01%	33.46%	30.84%	-0.12%	27.24%

Correlation

The correlation between CWS and SPYG is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2016	0.65

Over the past year, the correlation between CWS and SPYG has dropped to 0.45 - well below their long-term average of 0.65, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

CWS vs. SPYG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CWS	SPYG
Healthcare	24.2%	6.2%
Industrials	23.8%	5.2%
Technology	19.5%	52.0%
Consumer Cyclical	13.5%	8.5%
Financial Services	10.9%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	1.0%
Utilities	3.8%	1.2%
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Communication Services	-	15.9%
Energy	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	0.6%

Return for Risk

CWS vs. SPYG — Risk / Return Rank

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

CWS

CWS Risk / Return Rank: 9
CWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
CWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Omega Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
CWS Martin Ratio Rank: 9

SPYG

SPYG Risk / Return Rank: 44
SPYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SPYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SPYG Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SPYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
SPYG Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

CWS vs. SPYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). 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.

	CWS	SPYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.05	1.31	-1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.03	1.86	-1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.23	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.05	1.67	-1.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.13	6.38	-6.51

CWS vs. SPYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CWS Sharpe Ratio is -0.05, which is lower than the SPYG Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CWS and SPYG, 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

CWS vs. SPYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CWS drawdown since its inception was -33.82%, smaller than the maximum SPYG drawdown of -67.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CWS and SPYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	CWS	SPYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.82%	-67.63%	+33.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.92%	-13.76%	+1.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.56%	-22.14%	+5.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.87%	-32.67%	+7.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.30%	-3.65%	-0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.55%	-24.23%	+19.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.83%	3.59%	+1.24%

Volatility

CWS vs. SPYG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) is 3.92%, while State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) has a volatility of 5.72%. This indicates that CWS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CWS	SPYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	5.72%	-1.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.49%	14.41%	-3.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.54%	17.57%	-4.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.72%	21.43%	-5.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.87%	20.74%	-3.87%

CWS vs. SPYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

CWS has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

CWS vs. SPYG - Dividend Comparison

CWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, less than SPYG's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	0.30%	0.31%	0.59%	0.25%	0.50%	0.16%	0.27%	0.39%	2.07%	0.29%	0.03%	0.00%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.49%	0.52%	0.60%	1.15%	1.03%	0.62%	0.90%	1.37%	1.51%	1.41%	1.55%	1.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CWS and SPYG in my portfolio?

CWS and SPYG have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CWS or SPYG?

SPYG has higher volatility (5.72%) compared to CWS (3.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CWS dropped -33.82% vs SPYG's -67.63%.

Which ETF is better, CWS or SPYG?

On 5-year performance, SPYG leads with 13.86% vs 8.23% for CWS. On fees, SPYG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, CWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CWS or SPYG?

Over the 5-year period, SPYG has performed better with a 13.86% return vs 8.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CWS or SPYG?

SPYG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for CWS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CWS or SPYG?

SPYG has the higher dividend yield at 0.49%, compared with 0.30% for CWS.

What is the main difference between CWS and SPYG?

CWS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPYG is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: AdvisorShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.77% for CWS and 0.04% for SPYG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs -0.05), 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.