DWUS vs. CWS

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

DWUS (AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM US Core ETF) and CWS (AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DWUS is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by AdvisorShares, while CWS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, DWUS returned 9.78%/yr vs 8.23%/yr for CWS. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DWUS charges 1.17%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for CWS.

Performance

DWUS vs. CWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM US Core ETF (DWUS) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DWUS achieves a 8.01% return, which is significantly higher than CWS's 0.21% return.

DWUS

• 1D: -2.38%
• 1M: -5.23%
• 6M: 6.03%
• YTD: 8.01%
• 1Y: 16.22%
• 3Y*: 15.97%
• 5Y*: 9.78%
• 10Y*: —

CWS

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

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

DWUS vs. CWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DWUS AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM US Core ETF	8.01%	12.75%	20.26%	20.62%	-17.89%	20.21%	35.99%	9.39%
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	0.21%	6.43%	9.82%	25.06%	-10.42%	22.20%	17.12%	-0.20%

Correlation

The correlation between DWUS and CWS is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 27, 2019	0.66

The correlation between DWUS and CWS shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (1 year) to 0.68 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DWUS vs. CWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DWUS	CWS
Technology	44.3%	19.5%
Industrials	11.2%	23.8%
Financial Services	10.2%	10.9%
Communication Services	8.9%	-
Healthcare	7.6%	24.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.1%	13.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	4.3%
Energy	3.3%	-
Real Estate	1.6%	-
Basic Materials	1.6%	-
Utilities	1.5%	3.8%

Return for Risk

DWUS vs. CWS — Risk / Return Rank

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

DWUS

DWUS Risk / Return Rank: 30
DWUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
DWUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
DWUS Omega Ratio Rank: 27
DWUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
DWUS Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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

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.

DWUS vs. CWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM US Core ETF (DWUS) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). 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.

	DWUS	CWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	-0.05	+0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.21	0.03	+1.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.00	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.36	-0.05	+1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.65	-0.13	+4.77

DWUS vs. CWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DWUS Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is higher than the CWS Sharpe Ratio of -0.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DWUS and CWS, 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

DWUS vs. CWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DWUS drawdown since its inception was -30.47%, smaller than the maximum CWS drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DWUS and CWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	DWUS	CWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.47%	-33.82%	+3.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.98%	-11.92%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.63%	-16.56%	-3.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.45%	-24.87%	-1.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.43%	-4.30%	-4.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.80%	-4.55%	-2.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.50%	4.83%	-1.33%

Volatility

DWUS vs. CWS - Volatility Comparison

AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM US Core ETF (DWUS) has a higher volatility of 9.56% compared to AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) at 3.92%. This indicates that DWUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DWUS	CWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.56%	3.92%	+5.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.92%	10.49%	+6.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.48%	13.54%	+5.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.45%	15.72%	+3.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.51%	16.87%	+5.64%

DWUS vs. CWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

DWUS has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is higher than CWS's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

DWUS vs. CWS - Dividend Comparison

DWUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, less than CWS's 0.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
DWUS AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM US Core ETF	0.03%	0.03%	0.18%	0.29%	0.89%	0.35%	0.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DWUS and CWS in my portfolio?

DWUS and CWS have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DWUS or CWS?

DWUS has higher volatility (9.56%) compared to CWS (3.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DWUS dropped -30.47% vs CWS's -33.82%.

Which ETF is better, DWUS or CWS?

On 5-year performance, DWUS leads with 9.78% vs 8.23% for CWS. On fees, CWS is cheaper at 0.77% 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, DWUS or CWS?

Over the 5-year period, DWUS has performed better with a 9.78% return vs 8.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DWUS or CWS?

CWS is cheaper with a 0.77% expense ratio, compared with 1.17% for DWUS.

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

CWS has the higher dividend yield at 0.30%, compared with 0.03% for DWUS.

What is the main difference between DWUS and CWS?

DWUS is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while CWS is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 1.17% for DWUS and 0.77% for CWS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DWUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.84 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.