DAK vs. AFOS

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

DAK (Dakota Active Equity ETF) and AFOS (ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DAK returned 20.52% vs 64.93% for AFOS. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DAK charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for AFOS.

Performance

DAK vs. AFOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dakota Active Equity ETF (DAK) 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, DAK achieves a 10.36% return, which is significantly lower than AFOS's 27.82% return.

DAK

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: 0.91%
• 6M: 9.09%
• YTD: 10.36%
• 1Y: 20.52%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.77%

AFOS

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: -2.57%
• 6M: 16.56%
• YTD: 27.82%
• 1Y: 64.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 66.91%

*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)
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	$478.32K	$472.43K	$519.92K
DAK Dakota Active Equity ETF	$1.23K	$2.63K	$4.01K

DAK vs. AFOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DAK Dakota Active Equity ETF	10.36%	6.75%
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	27.82%	27.79%

Correlation

The correlation between DAK and AFOS is 0.73, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.73

The correlation between DAK and AFOS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DAK vs. AFOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

DAK

DAK Risk / Return Rank: 72
DAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
DAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
DAK Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
DAK Martin Ratio Rank: 78

AFOS

AFOS Risk / Return Rank: 94
AFOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
AFOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
AFOS Omega Ratio Rank: 91
AFOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
AFOS Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

DAK vs. AFOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dakota Active Equity ETF (DAK) 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.

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.

	DAK	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	2.72	-1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	3.44	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.44	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	5.34	-2.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.16	20.21	-10.04

DAK vs. AFOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAK Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is lower than the AFOS Sharpe Ratio of 2.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAK and AFOS, 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

DAK vs. AFOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAK drawdown since its inception was -7.87%, smaller than the maximum AFOS drawdown of -11.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAK and AFOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAK	AFOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-11.80%	+3.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.87%	-11.80%	+3.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-6.55%	+6.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.18%	-1.80%	+0.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.87%	3.11%	-1.24%

Volatility

DAK vs. AFOS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dakota Active Equity ETF (DAK) is 2.91%, while ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS) has a volatility of 8.33%. This indicates that DAK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AFOS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DAK	AFOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.91%	8.33%	-5.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.11%	19.47%	-10.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.39%	23.16%	-11.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.39%	22.37%	-10.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.39%	22.37%	-10.98%

DAK vs. AFOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

DAK has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is lower than AFOS's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

DAK vs. AFOS - Dividend Comparison

DAK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, more than AFOS's 0.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	0.23%	0.30%
DAK Dakota Active Equity ETF	0.75%	0.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DAK and AFOS in my portfolio?

DAK and AFOS have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DAK or AFOS?

AFOS has higher volatility (8.33%) compared to DAK (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAK dropped -7.87% vs AFOS's -11.80%.

Which ETF is better, DAK or AFOS?

On 1-year performance, AFOS leads with 64.93% vs 20.52% for DAK. On fees, DAK is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, DAK has been the lower-risk option at 2.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DAK or AFOS?

Over the 1-year period, AFOS has performed better with a 64.93% return vs 20.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DAK or AFOS?

DAK is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for AFOS.

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

DAK has the higher dividend yield at 0.75%, compared with 0.23% for AFOS.

What is the main difference between DAK and AFOS?

They also come from different issuers: Dakota Wealth and ARS Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for DAK and 0.45% for AFOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFOS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 1.68), 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.